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Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Bread That Melts in Every Bite

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This Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Bread is a quick and easy weeknight dinner or appetizer, featuring crispy French bread topped with garlic butter, tender shrimp, and a bubbly mozzarella and Parmesan cheese crust. It’s a foolproof, crowd-pleasing recipe that comes together in under 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf French bread or Italian bread (about 12–16 inches long)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (21–25 count per pound)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch for the shrimp
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low-moisture, part-skim)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your broiler and position an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
  2. Slice the French bread in half lengthwise. Place both halves, cut-side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Set aside.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Once it’s fully melted and starts to foam slightly, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
  4. Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes per side, until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and just cooked through. They should curl slightly into a ‘C’ shape. Remove the pan from heat.
  5. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to a cutting board. Let them cool for a minute, then roughly chop them into bite-sized pieces.
  6. Brush the cut sides of the bread generously with the garlic butter remaining in the skillet. Use all of it.
  7. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese evenly over both bread halves.
  8. Distribute the chopped shrimp evenly over the cheese. Press them down gently so they stick.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese over the shrimp.
  10. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and cook for 2-4 minutes, watching constantly, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned in spots.
  11. Remove from the oven immediately. Sprinkle the fresh chopped parsley over the top and, if using, squeeze a little lemon juice over everything.
  12. Let the bread rest for 2-3 minutes before slicing. Use a serrated knife for clean slices.

Notes

Pat shrimp dry to avoid steaming. Use day-old bread to prevent sogginess. Watch the broiler closely to avoid burning. Let the bread rest after broiling to allow the cheese to set. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free baguette. For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and dairy-free cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: cheesy garlic shrimp bread, shrimp bread, garlic bread with shrimp, easy shrimp appetizer, quick shrimp recipe, weeknight dinner, party appetizer

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