7 Quick Cooked Shrimp Recipes for Any Night
If you’ve ever opened your fridge at 7 p.m., stared into the culinary void, and thought, “Please… anything quick,” then hey, we’re officially on the same team.
Cooked shrimp is that underrated hero hiding in your freezer, ready to swoop in when life feels way too chaotic for marinating or waiting on an oven timer.
These recipes deliver fast flavor, zero stress, and a guaranteed “I actually cooked tonight” victory.
And honestly, who doesn’t want a dinner that tastes fancy but barely took ten minutes of your life?
Grab your shrimp and let’s make your weeknight dinners ridiculously easy and ridiculously good.
1. Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet
Nothing feels more comforting after a long day than a creamy garlic moment. This skillet delivers exactly that—rich, buttery, garlicky goodness in under 10 minutes.
It tastes like something from a date-night restaurant but comes together quicker than your favorite playlist loads.
Every bite hits that perfect balance of savory creaminess and shrimp sweetness, and yes, it’s dangerously easy to make on repeat.
Ingredients
- Cooked shrimp
- Butter
- Garlic (freshly minced)
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Lemon juice
- Chopped parsley
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add the cooked shrimp and simmer until heated through.
- Finish with lemon juice and parsley.
Why You’ll Love It
This dish tastes rich and cozy without feeling heavy. It’s my go-to when I want something impressive but effortless. Serve it with pasta, rice, or a slice of crusty bread and everyone will think you tried way harder than you did.
Tips
Quick tip: Add a pinch of smoked paprika for deeper flavor.
Serving idea: Spoon it over rice or mashed potatoes for a dreamy, creamy dinner.
2. Zesty Lemon Pepper Shrimp Toss
If freshness had a flavor, it would be this. The bright lemon and bold pepper hit you right away, and the cooked shrimp soaks up every drop of that citrusy goodness.
It’s light, fast, and one of those recipes you’ll keep coming back to because it just works on any night you need energy without the heaviness.
I once made this at midnight (don’t judge), and it still came out perfect.
Ingredients
- Cooked shrimp
- Lemon zest and lemon juice
- Black pepper
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Sea salt
- Crushed red pepper (optional)
- Fresh parsley
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Add cooked shrimp and toss to coat.
- Warm in a skillet for 2–3 minutes.
- Sprinkle with crushed red pepper and parsley.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s bright, energizing, and unbelievably simple. The lemon wakes up the shrimp’s natural sweetness, and the pepper gives it a kick that keeps things interesting.
Tips
Quick tip: Swap black pepper for lemon pepper seasoning for even more zing.
Serving idea: Serve over quinoa or tuck into lettuce wraps for a fast, fresh meal.
3. Spicy Cajun Shrimp Bowl
This one brings heat—in the fun way, not the “why did I do this to myself” way. Cajun seasoning gives cooked shrimp that smoky, spicy, slightly bold character that makes every bite feel exciting.
The bowl setup keeps things colorful, satisfying, and super adaptable based on whatever you’ve got lying around. IMO, bowls are the superheroes of lazy dinners.
Ingredients
- Cooked shrimp
- Cajun seasoning
- Olive oil
- Cooked rice
- Corn
- Black beans
- Diced tomatoes
- Lime wedges
- Cilantro
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Toss cooked shrimp with Cajun seasoning and a splash of olive oil.
- Warm in a skillet for a few minutes.
- Assemble a bowl with rice, corn, beans, and tomatoes.
- Add shrimp on top.
- Squeeze fresh lime and sprinkle cilantro.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s spicy, colorful, and extremely satisfying. You’ll feel like you ordered takeout, but it’s healthier, cheaper, and done in minutes.
Tips
Quick tip: Add a spoonful of sour cream or Greek yogurt if you want a creamy balance to the spice.
Serving idea: Make it a meal prep bowl—these flavors stay bold even the next day.
4. Garlic Herb Shrimp Pasta Toss
This pasta is for nights when you want something warm and cozy but still light enough to avoid a food coma. The garlic herb combo is classic, dependable, and always delicious.
The cooked shrimp turns into the star without needing much fuss, and everything comes together in one pan, which my sink always appreciates.
Ingredients
- Cooked shrimp
- Olive oil
- Garlic (minced)
- Italian seasoning or mixed herbs
- Cooked pasta (any shape)
- Grated Parmesan
- Salt and pepper
- Lemon juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet.
- Add garlic and herbs and cook until fragrant.
- Toss in cooked pasta and coat well.
- Add the shrimp and warm through.
- Sprinkle Parmesan and finish with lemon juice.
Why You’ll Love It
It tastes fresh, garlicky, and balanced. The herbs give it that classic Italian aroma that instantly makes your kitchen feel cozier.
Tips
Quick tip: Add cherry tomatoes for a juicy burst of flavor.
Serving idea: Pair with a big green salad or garlic bread for an easy dinner spread.
5. Sweet Chili Shrimp Stir-Fry
If you love that sweet–spicy combo that hits your tongue with a little “hello” and then a “wait for it…oh wow,” this one’s going straight into your weekly rotation.
Sweet chili sauce makes cooked shrimp taste like you spent way more time prepping than you actually did.
The veggies stay crisp, the sauce gets glossy, and everything comes together in one pan—which is honestly the only number of pans I ever want to wash after a long day.
Ingredients
- Cooked shrimp
- Sweet chili sauce
- Soy sauce
- Garlic (minced)
- Bell peppers (sliced)
- Snap peas
- Carrots (thinly sliced)
- Sesame oil
- Green onions
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a large pan.
- Add garlic and stir until fragrant.
- Add bell peppers, carrots, and snap peas; cook until crisp-tender.
- Add cooked shrimp, sweet chili sauce, and a splash of soy sauce.
- Stir until everything is glossy and heated through.
- Top with sliced green onions.
Why You’ll Love It
The flavors hit that perfect sweet–tangy–spicy balance. Everything tastes fresh and vibrant, and the sauce clings beautifully to every shrimp. It feels like takeout but healthier and definitely faster.
Tips
Quick tip: Add a teaspoon of sriracha if you want more heat.
Serving idea: Serve over jasmine rice or noodles for a complete meal.
6. Creamy Pesto Shrimp Flatbread
This is the kind of dinner that feels like something you’d order at a cute café where everything costs too much—but lucky for you, this version is quick, budget-friendly, and tastes incredible.
The creamy pesto adds richness, the shrimp adds protein, and the warm flatbread holds it all together like a champ.
It’s fancy-but-not-really, and absolutely perfect for nights when you want a treat without the fuss.
Ingredients
- Cooked shrimp
- Flatbread or naan
- Pesto
- Cream cheese or ricotta
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- Olive oil
- Fresh basil
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix pesto with cream cheese or ricotta to make a creamy spread.
- Brush flatbread with olive oil.
- Spread the creamy pesto mixture on top.
- Add shrimp, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella.
- Bake at 400°F for 8–10 minutes or until melty.
- Top with fresh basil.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s creamy, cheesy, herby, and ridiculously satisfying. The flatbread turns crisp while the toppings stay soft and flavorful. This is one of those recipes that looks impressive but takes almost no effort.
Tips
Quick tip: Add crushed red pepper if you love a little heat with your pesto.
Serving idea: Slice into small pieces for an easy appetizer or keep it whole for dinner.
7. Shrimp Fried Rice in 10 Minutes
Fried rice is the ultimate “I have random ingredients and no energy” recipe, and cooked shrimp makes it even easier.
Everything comes together quickly in the skillet, and the mix of savory soy, sesame oil, and veggies makes each bite taste comforting and familiar.
If you’ve ever tried making fried rice without cold rice and regretted it, trust me—I’ve been there. Use cold rice here and your fried rice will actually taste like fried rice.
Ingredients
- Cooked shrimp
- Cold cooked rice
- Eggs
- Carrots and peas
- Green onions
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a skillet.
- Add garlic, carrots, and peas; cook until softened.
- Push the veggies aside and scramble the eggs.
- Add cold rice, soy sauce, and pepper.
- Stir in the shrimp.
- Finish with green onions.
Why You’ll Love It
It tastes like your favorite takeout fried rice but fresher and faster. The shrimp adds great texture, and everything stays light and flavorful.
Tips
Quick tip: Add a splash of oyster sauce for deeper flavor.
Serving idea: Serve with a simple cucumber salad for a refreshing side.
Conclusion
Cooked shrimp is that one ingredient that saves you again and again when dinner feels like a chore.
These quick recipes prove you don’t need hours in the kitchen to make something you’re actually excited to eat.
They’re fast, flavorful, flexible, and perfect for nights when you want real food without the real effort. Whether you’re craving creamy garlic, zesty lemon, or bold Cajun spice, there’s always a shrimp recipe here that fits the mood.
Keep a bag of cooked shrimp on standby and you’ll never be more than a few minutes away from a dinner that tastes amazing without draining your energy.
