Top 15+ shrimp dinners you can make in 30 minutes

With the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time to put some shrimp on your menu again! We’ve put together some quick and delicious 30-minute shrimp dinner recipes for you to choose from, from lettuce wraps to creamy pasta. Try our Shrimp Pad Thai or Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas for a satisfying meal tonight.

01 of 15

Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Enjoy these shrimp lettuce wraps, filled with crisp veggies and juicy shrimp sautéed with garlic and soy sauce. This light and flavorful dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or weekend gathering. Sambal oelek, a spicy chile paste known for its vibrant red color and intense heat, adds an extra kick. Reduce or omit it to adjust the heat to your liking.

02 of 15

Shrimp Pad Thai

This iconic Thai recipe features rice noodles stir-fried in a wok with a sauce that strikes the perfect balance of tangy, salty and sweet. Along with the noodles, pad thai typically includes a mix of ingredients such as shrimp, tofu, scrambled eggs, bean sprouts and a handful of aromatics like garlic, shallot and scallions. The sauce in this recipe features tamarind paste, which adds a decisively tangy flavor that’s balanced with palm sugar. Tamarind paste pairs beautifully with sweet ingredients. Mix any leftovers into cocktails, make a chutney, or drizzle it on fruit.

03 of 15

Creamy Pesto Shrimp with Gnocchi & Peas

This speedy dinner recipe combines shrimp with pillowy gnocchi, pesto and peas in a creamy sauce. Feel free to substitute the peas with other veggies, such as broccoli or asparagus. Sprinkle in some crushed red pepper for a bit of heat, or garnish with grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the savory flavor.

04 of 15

Tajín Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

Tajín, a Mexican chile-lime seasoning, adds a spicy and acidic punch to sweet and mild shrimp. Opt for a low-sodium chile-lime seasoning, or improvise by combining chili powder, a little lime zest and a healthy squeeze of lime juice. Look for pineapple that’s already been peeled and cored for speedier prep.

05 of 15

Spicy Shrimp with Cauliflower Rice

This shrimp gets its kick from Cajun seasoning—a zesty blend of paprika, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Refrigerated cauliflower rice helps cut down on prep time, but if you can spare a few extra minutes, it's easy to make your own. Pulse 1 pound fresh cauliflower florets in a food processor until chopped into rice-size pieces.

06 of 15

15-Minute Pesto Shrimp

This versatile and quick pesto shrimp can be served alongside a hunk of crusty bread, over pasta or rice, or even used as a topping for pizza. Look for shrimp that are free from preservatives, which can alter the texture and add sodium to the dish. We like the brightness and fresh flavor of refrigerated pesto, but a homemade classic basil pesto will make the dish extra special.

07 of 15

Skillet Shrimp with Rice & Peas

Make sure to spread the rice mixture in an even layer so the bottom can crisp. The shrimp take less than 5 minutes to cook. Rinse well under cold running water until completely thawed, and then pat dry before adding to the pan. Serve with simply steamed asparagus to round out the meal.

08 of 15

Copycat Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp

This copycat Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp recipe tastes much like the original, with shrimp battered and pan-fried then smothered in a creamy, sweet and spicy chili sauce. If you want to turn up the heat, serve with extra Sriracha.

09 of 15

Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti

This colorful garlic shrimp spaghetti is plenty garlicky, with a hint of acidity from lemon and white wine that complements the sweet shrimp. This flavorful shrimp pasta dinner is quick and easy, making it perfect for a weeknight. Serve with a green salad and a chunk of crusty bread to sop up any leftover sauce.

10 of 15

Stir-Fried Teriyaki Shrimp Noodles

This stir-fry is on the table super fast thanks to quick-cooking vegetables, par-cooked noodles, cooked shrimp and teriyaki sauce.

11 of 15

Sheet-Pan Shrimp & Asparagus

This sheet-pan shrimp and asparagus is a complete meal all on one pan! The shrimp and asparagus cook perfectly together. Crushed red pepper adds a dash of heat while lime juice brightens the dish.

12 of 15

Ginger-Soy Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp

These ginger-soy zucchini noodles with shrimp are a light, flavorful no-cook dish that’s perfect for warmer days. Thinly sliced zucchini offers a crisp and refreshing base, while the sauce (made with ginger, soy and lime juice) adds bold and bright flavors. Precooked shrimp make this meal fast and convenient—just toss everything together and serve! It’s a fresh, protein-packed bowl that comes together in minutes.

13 of 15

Super Quick Low-Carb Shrimp Scampi

This low-calorie and low-carb shrimp scampi feels like a restaurant dish, but it is actually very easy to make. There is just enough buttery sauce to coat the shrimp. The trick is to not over-reduce the sauce when cooking it. It's better to make it a little more saucy than dry. If you want to bulk up this entrée, you could add peas or thinly sliced carrots, or serve it over your favorite low-carb pasta substitute like spaghetti squash.

14 of 15

Cilantro-Lime Shrimp Bowl

This dish has tons of flavor and texture. The cilantro-lime shrimp is tangy and fresh, with brown rice and creamy avocado to balance the intensity. The two-chile cream sauce is easy to make and brings all the flavors of this bowl dinner together.

15 of 15

One-Pot Shrimp with Tomatoes & Feta

Thanks to quick-cooking shrimp, this one-pot meal comes together in record time. Tomatoes add a burst of color and acidity, while chopped basil brings freshness. Serve over pasta or whole grains.