Shrimp Saganaki is an absolute favorite in its native Greece, and you can taste the reason why! It’s similar to shakshuka as it’s a bright yet mellow tomato sauce infused with red pepper spice and fragrant shallots and garlic. The shrimp is savory and sweet, cooked to a juicy pink and sprinkled with sharp, creamy feta cheese. Shrimp Saganaki can be a meal on its own, or it could be a tantalizing appetizer for a seafood dinner. In either case, you may want some crusty bread on hand to mop up all of that amazing sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3/4 cup shallots, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 (28-ounce) can of diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 1/2 pounds extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined, thawed if frozen
- 6 ounces feta cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, roughly chopped
Directions
Step 1 –Set an oven rack to the middle position and another oven rack about 5 inches underneath the broiler. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 2 –Heat the olive oil in a wide, oven-proof skillet over medium-low heat.
Step 3 –Add the shallots and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently so the garlic doesn’t burn or brown, until softened, for about 5-7 minutes.
Step 4 –Add the can of tomatoes (with the juices), salt, pepper, cumin, red pepper flakes, and honey.
Step 5 –Bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 6 –Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally until the sauce is thickened, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 7 –Transfer the skillet from the heat.
Step 8 –Arrange the shrimp over the tomato sauce in an even layer. Crumble the feta over the shrimp. Sprinkle with the oregano.
Step 9 –Bake on the middle oven rack until the shrimp are pink and cooked through at 145 degrees F, about 12-15 minutes.
Step 10 –Turn on the broiler. Using an oven mitt, carefully transfer the pan to the high oven rack and broil until the feta is golden-brown in spots, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 11 –Remove the skillet from the oven and let the shrimp rest for 5 minutes.
Step 12 –Sprinkle with the mint and serve.