Description
A quick, 20-minute weeknight dinner featuring juicy shrimp, burst cherry tomatoes, and creamy feta cheese in a savory skillet. This budget-friendly meal is kid-approved and perfect for busy families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds frozen raw peeled deveined shrimp (large or extra-large)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (red or mixed)
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 large lemon (juice and zest)
- Black pepper to taste
- Salt to taste
- Optional: 2 cups fresh spinach
- Optional: Couscous or crusty bread for serving
- Optional: 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, halved
Instructions
- Thaw frozen shrimp in a colander under cold water for 10-15 minutes. Pat them completely dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced red onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add minced garlic and dried oregano to the pan. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
- Add cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes burst and release their juices to form a chunky sauce. Add red pepper flakes if using.
- Push tomatoes to the side of the pan and add shrimp in a single layer. Let sit for 1 minute to sear, then flip. Cook for 1-2 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Do not overcook.
- Remove skillet from heat. Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest.
- Crumble feta cheese over the top. Let residual heat melt the feta slightly; do not stir completely. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Serve immediately over couscous, rice, or with crusty bread. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry thoroughly to ensure they sear rather than steam. Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking shrimp; cook in batches if necessary. Fresh lemon juice is essential for flavor. Feta is salty, so taste before adding extra salt. This dish does not freeze well due to the feta texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Mediterranean shrimp, shrimp skillet, budget dinner, weeknight meals, family dinner, quick recipes, healthy seafood, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes