There’s something incredibly satisfying about a meal that’s bursting with fresh flavors yet comes together with minimal fuss. This Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe does just that — vibrant, garlicky shrimp paired with tender asparagus and juicy tomatoes, all roasted on a single pan. It’s quick, fresh, and feels special enough for any night you want to treat yourself without spending hours in the kitchen.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made this dish on a busy weeknight — I was blown away by how effortlessly it came together, and the flavor? Absolutely next-level. The magic is in roasting everything on one pan, which means less cleanup and more time to savor your meal.
- One-pan ease: All your ingredients cook together, soaking up flavors while making clean-up a breeze.
- Fresh, vibrant flavors: The combo of lemon, garlic, and butter makes the shrimp pop, while asparagus and tomatoes roast perfectly.
- Quick and weeknight-friendly: Ready in about 15 minutes flat, it’s a lifesaver when you want something healthy and tasty fast.
- Highly customizable: You can easily swap veggies or add pasta, making it perfect for your pantry and mood.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The beauty of this Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe lies in high-quality, straightforward ingredients that complement each other perfectly. Each plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture without any fuss.
- Asparagus: Choose thin or medium stalks; they roast quickly and stay crisp-tender, adding lovely freshness.
- Cherry tomatoes: Their juiciness bursts when roasted, providing sweet, tangy pockets of flavor.
- Olive oil: Enhances everything with its richness and helps the veggies roast evenly without sticking.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic infuses that classic scampi garlic aroma; don’t skimp here!
- Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning that balances and brings out natural flavors.
- Medium shrimp (shelled, deveined): Cooking them with tails off makes eating easy and enjoyable.
- Lemon juice: The touch of acidity brightens the whole dish for that zesty scampi snap.
- Butter: Cubed butter melts over the shrimp and veggies, delivering rich silky sauce that everyone loves.
- Parsley: Fresh herbs provide a pop of color and a fresh, herby finish.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love most about this Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often swap asparagus for zucchini or even add mushrooms, depending on what’s fresh at my market or what’s lurking in my fridge.
- Vegetable swaps: Mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers work beautifully if you want to change up the veggie mix — just watch the cooking time for thicker veggies.
- Protein variation: I’ve tried chopped chicken breast instead of shrimp; just roast the chicken a little longer (~15 minutes) before adding the veggies for perfect timing.
- Heat it up: If you like a kick, bump up the red pepper flakes or add a dash of smoked paprika.
- Make it creamy: Stir in a splash of cream or finish with a spoonful of mascarpone for an indulgent twist.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Pasta
Start by chopping your asparagus into about 1-inch pieces and rinsing your cherry tomatoes. If you're serving with linguine, cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, reserving a bit of the pasta water before draining – this really helps loosen the sauce later. Toss the cooked pasta with a little olive oil so it doesn’t stick.
Step 2: Roast the Asparagus and Tomatoes
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a sheet pan with foil sprayed lightly with cooking spray. Toss asparagus and tomatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until everything is evenly coated. Spread them out in a single layer and roast for 5 minutes. This jumpstart lets the veggies soften and caramelize just right.
Step 3: Add the Shrimp and Butter
While the veggies roast, toss the shrimp in a bowl with olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, paprika, onion powder, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Once the veggies have roasted, push them to one side of the pan and add the shrimp in a single layer on the empty side. Scatter cubed butter over the shrimp generously – this is where the sauce magic happens.
Step 4: Finish Roasting and Garnish
Pop the sheet pan back in the oven for about 6 minutes or until the shrimp turns opaque and the butter has melted into a silky sauce. When it’s done, drizzle with a bit more lemon juice, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top, and season to taste with salt and pepper. If you’re adding pasta, toss everything together in a large bowl using some reserved pasta water or olive oil to get the sauce just right.
Top Tip
After a few times making this dish, I’ve learned some tricks that really polish the final result and save hassle.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give everything room to roast evenly — crowded pans steam and won’t caramelize as nicely.
- Use cold shrimp: Defrost shrimp thoroughly and keep them cold until you’re ready to roast — this prevents overcooking and keeps them juicy.
- Butter in cubes: Adding butter in small cubes distributed evenly lets it melt evenly, coating everything in the tastiest way.
- Save pasta water: That starchy water is gold when tossing pasta with buttery sauce to get the perfect silky consistency.
How to Serve Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I always go with a generous sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon juice for bright acidity. If I’m feeling indulgent, a dusting of freshly grated Parmesan adds a nutty savory note that everyone appreciates.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides like crusty bread to soak up the buttery scampi sauce, a light green salad for contrast, or vegetable-packed rice for a heartier meal. If you want lighter carbs, zoodles or spiralized veggies are fantastic too.
Creative Ways to Present
For more special occasions, try serving this Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe over a bed of lemon and herb-infused couscous or arrange it on a large platter with lemon wedges and parsley for a beautiful family-style presentation. It always impresses guests without extra work.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they keep well for 2-3 days. The shrimp might firm up a bit, but reheating gently avoids toughness. Try to use leftovers within that timeframe for best texture.
Freezing
Freezing shrimp dishes can be tricky since seafood texture changes. I usually recommend enjoying this one fresh or refrigerated rather than frozen. But if you freeze, pack tightly in an airtight container and thaw slowly overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low-medium heat or in the oven just until warmed through to prevent drying the shrimp out. Adding a splash of water or olive oil while reheating helps keep the sauce silky comfortingly fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Just make sure to fully thaw the shrimp overnight in the refrigerator and pat them dry before cooking. Using frozen shrimp without thawing might release too much water and affect cooking time and texture.
Great alternatives include zucchini, green beans, or bell peppers. Choose quick-cooking veggies for best results and adjust roasting time as needed to avoid over or undercooking.
Absolutely! Simply skip the pasta or substitute it with gluten-free pasta, zoodles, or rice. The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so it’s perfect for a gluten-friendly meal.
You can reduce the butter amount and add a splash of reserved pasta water or extra olive oil to maintain sauce consistency. Increasing the garlic and lemon juice slightly also helps keep the dish vibrant without overwhelming richness.
Final Thoughts
This Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe has earned its spot in my weekly rotation because it’s as dependable as it is delicious. I love how it makes me feel like I’m indulging in a restaurant-quality meal without any hassle. Give it a try—you’ll wind up keeping it on speed dial, trust me. It’s the perfect blend of simple ingredients, quick prep, and joyful, fresh flavors that bring a little celebration to any evening.
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Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi with Asparagus and Tomatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 4 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
This Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi recipe offers a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic shrimp dish roasted alongside vibrant asparagus and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for a weeknight meal, it combines tender shrimp tossed with flavorful garlic, lemon, and butter, all finished with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan. Serve it over linguine, zoodles, rice, or with crusty bread for a complete and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Tomatoes and Asparagus
- 1 pound thin/medium asparagus chopped into 1” pieces
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
Shrimp
- 1 pound medium uncooked shrimp, shelled, deveined tails off
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4-8 tablespoons butter cubed
Garnish
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice or more to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan (optional)
Serve with
- 1 pound linguine (or other pasta)
- Zoodles (optional)
- Rice (optional)
- Bread (optional)
Instructions
- Cook linguine: If using linguine, cook it in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining. Drizzle the drained pasta with olive oil and toss to combine.
- Preheat oven: Set oven temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare vegetables: Line a 10x15 inch jelly roll pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. In a bowl, toss asparagus pieces and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread them in a single layer on one side of the pan. Roast in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Prepare shrimp mixture: While the vegetables roast, combine the shrimp, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, paprika, onion powder, dried basil, red pepper flakes, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir well to evenly coat the shrimp with the seasonings.
- Add shrimp and butter: Remove the pan from the oven and push the roasted asparagus and tomatoes to one side, keeping them in a single layer. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on the empty side of the pan. Distribute 1 tablespoon of cubed butter evenly on the asparagus and 3 to 7 tablespoons of cubed butter evenly on the shrimp, depending on sauce preference.
- Roast shrimp: Return the pan to the oven and roast for 6 minutes or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- Finish and garnish: Remove the pan from the oven and drizzle the contents with 1 to 2 tablespoons of additional lemon juice to taste. Season with extra salt and pepper as desired. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top and add freshly grated Parmesan if using.
- Serve: If serving with linguine, transfer the shrimp, vegetables, and all pan juices to a large bowl with the cooked pasta. Mix well, adding reserved pasta water or olive oil to reach desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and Parmesan to taste. Serve immediately with optional sides such as rice, zoodles, or bread.
Notes
- Measure shrimp with tails on for accurate portioning.
- Use 3-4 tablespoons of butter if not serving the shrimp scampi with pasta to avoid excess sauce.
- If adding shrimp scampi to pasta, use 4-8 tablespoons of butter depending on how rich you want the sauce.
- You can add reserved pasta water or olive oil to extend the sauce without adding more butter.
- Substitute shrimp with chopped chicken, but cook chicken for about 15 minutes, adding it 10 minutes before the veggies to ensure it cooks fully.
- Use defrosted, raw shrimp rather than pre-cooked shrimp for best texture and flavor.
- Buying deveined, shelled shrimp saves prep time.
- You may mix shrimp and seasonings in a bowl or directly on the sheet pan; the bowl method prevents handling hot pans.
- Swap asparagus and tomatoes for other quick-cooking vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers, adjusting roasting time if needed.
- Adjust lemon juice gradually to taste, especially when mixing with pasta, as it enhances the flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg
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