Ingredients
Breading
- ½ cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Shrimp
- 1½ pounds jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 inches deep)
Assembly & Topping
- 1¾ cups marinara sauce
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Set up dredging station. Prepare three bowls side by side: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Place a large plate at the end for the breaded shrimp.
- Bread the shrimp. Coat each shrimp first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the eggs, and finally dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, making sure each shrimp is fully covered. Place on the prepared plate. Repeat for all shrimp.
- Heat oil for frying. In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 370°F using a candy thermometer.
- Fry the shrimp. Carefully add several shrimp at a time without crowding the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining shrimp.
- Assemble the dish. Spread marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Arrange the fried shrimp in a single layer over the sauce, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake. Bake the assembled dish uncovered at 425°F for 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Serve. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and serve warm over your choice of pasta for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make sure the oil temperature is properly monitored to ensure crispy shrimp without being greasy.
- You can substitute Italian seasoning with a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme if preferred.
- For a lighter option, you may bake the breaded shrimp instead of frying, though frying gives the best crispiness.
- The dish pairs beautifully with spaghetti or linguine tossed in olive oil or extra marinara sauce.
- Leftover shrimp parmigiana can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American