Olive Jude

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Dinner Recipes

Greek Shrimp Saganaki

This combination of spicy tomato, fresh oregano, succulent shrimp all topped with creamy salty feta is irresistible!Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpI love Greek food! The dishes are always packed full of flavor that is so fresh and satisfying.

Tonight I’m cooking up one of our all time favorite dinners. Every time I serve this, my better half comments after just about every bite.

“Man! That is so good!”

“Gees, this is awesome!”

“Man! MMM!”

He can’t help himself because it really is that tasty!Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpMy quick and simple version of Shrimp Saganaki is so surprisingly easy to cook that I usually feel like I’ve left something out as I’m making it. The flavor is so complex for such uncomplicated ingredients.Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpSaganaki is a traditional Greek preparation named after the two handled heavy bottom skillet in which it’s prepared. It is best served straight from the pan. I have cooked this in my oven proof skillet and my dutch oven pot. I also like to transfer the dish to smaller baking ramekins for another experience. Whatever way you choose, just make sure you use something that can go from oven to table to get the best experience.Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpI start by sautéing my onion in some olive oil. I then add a heaping mound of fresh chopped garlic. Oh yeah!Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpAnd because we like it hot, I add in a teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

After this sautés for a few minutes, I toss in some fresh chopped juicy tomatoes. Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpI prefer the texture and combo of fresh chopped tomatoes with canned tomatoes. I’m using two cans of my fave…the Sweet Onion flavored tomatoes that Hunts makes. If you can’t find these, just use a can of regular diced tomatoes and try a pinch of sugar.Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpI give them a chance to sweat a bit and then I do this.Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpI like to give those tomatoes a little squeeze in the pan to release more juices and to soften them a bit more.

Now it is time to add in all that wonderful aromatic fresh chopped oregano! I love love love it!Baked Tomatoes and Feta with Shrimp

Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpI’m going to allow this to simmer for a few minutes and come together.

Then it is time to start the party in the pot! Ouzo!Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpOuzo is a Greek anise flavored liqueur that elevates this dish to something extraordinary! It is full of lip-smacking flavors and gives quite a taste punch. Pow! (But it will mellow out in the dish so don’t be too concerned.)

Ouzo. Is. Awesome.

Once it is added to the dish, I let it simmer and allow the sauce to thicken. It smells so good in the kitchen and we are all getting excited!!Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpNow it is time to toss in the raw peeled shrimp. Be sure to leave those tails on because they add a lot of flavor to the sauce. I want to stir and combine the shrimp with the tomatoes until they become opaque, but not overcooked.Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpTime to pop the pan in the oven or transfer to a baking dish. I am using small personal baking dishes tonight that I got at TJ Maxx. I spotted these and thought they would be a perfect little imitation of the two-handle saganaki.Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpThe dish is topped with feta and ready to broil in the oven until the sauce is bubbling and the feta is melted and beginning to brown.

With a little fresh parsley garnish, this hot, bubbly, melty, delectable meal is ready to feast on!Baked Tomatoes and Feta with Shrimp

Baked Tomatoes and Feta with Shrimp

Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpCrusty bread is not an option here. Trust me. Every last bit of the spicy savory sauce and that briny creamy feta cheese should be sopped and mopped up with fresh warm bread!Baked Tomatoes and Feta with Shrimp

Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpWe are doing a happy dance!Baked Tomatoes and Feta with ShrimpThe only way this dish could get any better is if I was enjoying it on a tranquil Greek isle listening to the waves crash while soaking up some rays. One can only dream, I suppose.

What is your favorite baked dish?

Shrimp Saganaki

This combination of spicy tomato, fresh oregano, succulent shrimp all topped with creamy salty feta is irresistible!

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 sweet onion (finely chopped)
  • 4 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to heat preference )
  • 2 cups fresh tomatoes (chopped)
  • 2 cans Hunts Sweet Onion Diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce can)
  • 1 tbsp fresh oregano (finely chopped)
  • 1/4 cup ouzo
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 2 lbs fresh shrimp (peeled and deveined with the tails left on (I used jumbo shrimp))
  • crumbled feta (desired amount)
  • 1 handful parsley (roughly chopped)
  1. Heat the oil in an oven proof pan or dutch oven at medium-high heat.
  2. Add the onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and saute for 2-3 more minutes.
  4. Add the fresh tomatoes. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5 minutes to release some of the juices.
  5. Add the 2 cans of diced tomatoes and stir again to combine.

  6. Using a potato smasher, give the tomatoes a light smash in the pan to soften even more.

  7. Add the oregano and stir. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

  8. Pour in the ouzo, and continue to simmer until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  9. Add the shrimp. Stir occasionally until the shrimp is just turning opaque but not overcooked.

  10. Leave in oven proof pan or transfer to a baking dish and top with the feta cheese.
  11. Broil in the oven until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is beginning to melt and brown.
  12. Remove and top with fresh chopped parsley.

Leaving the tails on the shrimp adds to the flavor of the sauce.
Use crispy bread to dip in the sauce.
If you love the flavor of the ouzo, you can add another splash or two. We do!

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Comments

  2. Tuula says

    We arrived back home from Greece yesterday. Fell in love with shrimps saganaki. Today I found your recipe and I had to try it immediately. I fell in love again. It was so yummy ❤️ Thank you for sharing this!

    Reply

    • Olive Jude says

      You made my day! So thrilled you enjoyed it! This is one of our favorite dishes and it always surprises me how easy it is to make. Thanks so much for trying it!

      Reply

  5. Stephanie says

    I can literally smell the sauce in my head. This looks amazing. I feel like people are so wary of shrimp or any seafood and cheese but like what could be wrong about that since both ingredients are amazing in and of themselves?!

    Reply

  6. Sandy says

    Oh yum this dish looks so yummy. I’ve never tried Saganki before but love greek food so would love to try! Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply

  12. Diana H says

    Greek food is my fav! This looks so good and perfect for dinner. We’ve been stuck in a dinner rut so I’m looking for different recipes and tastes.

    Reply

  16. bel says

    So I’ve never had Greek before but seeing the shrimp in that tomato sauce is just tingling my fantasies. I screen shot this to try hopefully soon. I know I’ll love it.

    Reply

  19. Mae says

    My hubby and I are big lovers of good Greek food! There’s a little community near us that serves authentic Greek food and we drive down them to get our fill of gyros, kebabs and baklavas! This recipe looks so delicious and that liquer is interesting addition! I’ll definitely let the hubby recreate this,

    Mae | http://www.thegospelofbeauty.org

    Reply

  21. Shilpa Bindlish says

    Thanks for the stepwise recipe. Looks tempting. I’ll look for its vegetarian alternative. 😉

    Reply

  22. Anita says

    Ohmygoodness, it is NOT often I find a recipe I can actually eat and enjoy but I am salivating over here. When I got to the end I thought shes gonna put a ton of cheese on it and totally ruin it for me but you put feta (and I can sub with goats cheese, its all good). I love shrimp and cooked tomotoes and now I am so hungry 😀 I’d probably eat that entire dish you made :O

    Reply

    • Olive Jude says

      Anita, I feel the same way about shrimp and tomatoes! The bubbly feta on this was out of this world but I would also love goat cheese on it too. I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply

  27. Dawn says

    We really enjoyed this too! We ate all of the shrimp but couldn’t finish the saucy tomatoes and feta so we used the leftovers the next morning on our avocado toast. So. Good. What kind of bread did you use for dipping? I’m obsessed with sourdough right now so we tried it with that.

    Reply

    • Olive Jude says

      Happy to hear you liked it! You can’t go wrong with sourdough! That is usually Bill’s first choice but I’m pretty thrilled with just about any warm, crusty bread for dipping. For another kick of Greek flavor, I also love using a good Olive Bread with this dish! It is such a treat!

      Reply

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