Greek-Style Baked Shrimp with Feta and Olives

As the festive season approaches, transforming our calendars into a whirlwind of holiday baking, shopping, gift wrapping, parties, and meticulous planning, the demand for quick, easy, and undeniably delicious dinners becomes paramount. With Hanukkah and Christmas just around the corner, finding meals that deliver on flavor without sacrificing precious time is a culinary victory. That’s precisely why this Baked Shrimp with Feta and Olives has quickly become a treasured recipe in our home, offering a vibrant escape from the holiday rush.

Baked Shrimp with Feta and Olives: A Bold Mediterranean Escape in One Skillet

Outside Table offers two truly exceptional delicious sauces, each crafted to elevate your culinary creations. Their “Sunday Sauce” is a masterpiece of smoky tomato, tangy vinegar, and a fiery pepper kick that leaves a lasting impression. Complementing this is their “Saturday Sweet,” a delightful blend of tomato and vinegar, balanced with a subtle, sweet twist. Both sauces are meticulously crafted in small batches, using only the freshest organic ingredients, ensuring a premium flavor experience with every drop. Their commitment to quality is evident in every jar, making them indispensable additions to any kitchen.

Beyond their incredible sauces, Outside Table boasts an impressive line of spice blends that have quickly become staples in my cooking. I’ve incorporated them into countless dishes already, and without fail, they significantly amplify the flavor profile of whatever I’m preparing. For today’s Baked Shrimp with Feta and Olives, I utilized their versatile “Everyday Herb” blend, which provides a balanced and aromatic foundation. Other notable blends include “Friday Fennel” (perfect for Mediterranean and Italian-inspired dishes), “Taco Tuesday” (a vibrant burst of Tex-Mex flavor), “Weekend BBQ” (your go-to for grilling), and their newer “Simply SPG” (a masterful combination of salt, pepper, and garlic, ideal for meats, vegetables, or as a flavor-boosting marinade). Each blend is thoughtfully created to inspire culinary creativity and deliver outstanding results.

Essential Ingredients for Baked Shrimp with Feta and Olives

Crafting this vibrant Mediterranean dish requires a thoughtful selection of fresh and flavorful components. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this one-skillet wonder to life:

• Large Shrimp: Opt for peeled and deveined shrimp for maximum convenience. Their sweet, tender flesh is the star.
• Olive Oil: A staple of Mediterranean cooking, providing a rich, fruity base for sautéing.
• Vidalia Onion: Known for its sweet, mild flavor, it softens beautifully and adds a subtle sweetness to the sauce.
• Green Bell Pepper: Contributes a fresh, slightly bitter counterpoint and vibrant color.
• Garlic Cloves: Essential for aromatic depth and that unmistakable savory foundation.
• Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes: These add a smoky, complex layer of flavor that canned plain diced tomatoes simply can’t match, along with texture.
• Crushed Tomatoes: Forms the luscious, rich body of the sauce, providing a concentrated tomato essence.
• Outside Table Everyday Herb Blend: This special spice blend is key to the dish’s distinctive bold and spicy Mediterranean profile, featuring thyme, oregano, pepper, cayenne, and chili pepper.
• Kalamata Olives: Their distinct briny, fruity flavor and tender texture are indispensable for an authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: A fragrant, peppery finish that brightens the entire dish.
• Feta Cheese Crumbles: The creamy, tangy, and salty feta melts slightly into the sauce and provides a wonderful contrast to the other ingredients.

One of the most appealing aspects of this meal, beyond its incredible taste, is its remarkable simplicity and efficiency. The entire dish comes together in just one large, oven-proof deep skillet. This means significantly less mess in the kitchen and no towering piles of pots and pans to scrub after dinner. For busy weeknights or during the chaotic holiday season, the joy of minimal cleanup cannot be overstated. It’s a true game-changer that allows you to spend more time enjoying your meal and less time on chores.

The versatility of this Baked Shrimp with Feta and Olives also makes it a fantastic addition to your culinary repertoire. You can elegantly serve this dish appetizer-style, straight from the skillet, accompanied by warm, crusty baguette slices for dipping into the rich, savory sauce. Alternatively, for a more substantial and satisfying main course, pair it with a fluffy side of white rice, quinoa, or even couscous to soak up every last drop of the Mediterranean goodness. We’ve had the pleasure of enjoying it both ways, and each presentation is equally delightful and satisfying.

This recipe is undoubtedly a winner for navigating the busy holiday season, offering a delicious, stress-free dinner solution that everyone will adore. Enjoy every flavorful bite!

Expert Tips for Perfect Baked Shrimp with Feta and Olives

Achieving a perfectly balanced and flavorful Baked Shrimp with Feta and Olives is easy with these simple cook’s notes:

• Feta Application: For a delightful texture and flavor contrast, I recommend incorporating half of the feta cheese crumbles into the tomato and shrimp mixture before it goes into the oven. This allows some of the feta to melt and infuse its creamy tang into the sauce. Reserve the remaining half to sprinkle generously over the dish immediately after it’s baked. The fresh, unmelted feta will add a wonderful salty pop and visual appeal.
• Choosing Your Skillet: The “one-pan wonder” aspect is a major draw for this recipe. To truly achieve minimal cleanup, ensure you use a high-quality, deep, oven-proof skillet. Cast iron, enameled cast iron, or stainless steel skillets are excellent choices as they can seamlessly transition from stovetop to oven. You’ll begin by sautéing your aromatics and building the sauce in the skillet on the stovetop, then adding the shrimp and transferring the entire skillet to the oven for the final bake. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet or prefer to use a baking dish, simply prepare the sauce and shrimp mixture on the stovetop in any skillet, then pour it into a suitable baking dish to finish cooking in the oven.
• Versatile Serving Options: This dish is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for various occasions. If you’re serving it as an appetizer for a gathering, offering it directly from the skillet with plenty of crusty baguette slices for dipping is a fantastic idea. The bread will soak up the delicious, herby tomato sauce. For a more complete and satisfying main dish, pair the baked shrimp with a side of fluffy white rice, couscous, or even a light quinoa salad. A simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette would also complement the rich flavors beautifully.