High-Protein Creamy Garlic Shrimp Bake

Shrimp baked in a garlic cream sauce with spinach and blistered tomatoes — low carb and keto-friendly

This high-protein creamy garlic shrimp bake nests plump shrimp in an orange-gold cream sauce with wilted spinach and cherry tomatoes. Herbs on the shrimp match the photo. Each serving has 42 g of protein and 5 g net carbs.

Low carb, keto-friendly, and ready in one baking dish.

Prep10 min

Cook18 min

Servings4

Protein42g

Net Carbs5g

Calories380

Why you’ll love this bake

42g protein per serving
Only 5g net carbs
No pasta
Keto-friendly
Garlic cream sauce
Shrimp stays tender

Health notes

High protein: A full pound-plus of shrimp.
Low carb: Cream and spinach instead of rice.
Sugar-free: No sweet chili or bottled sauce.
Short bake: Shrimp finish in the oven so they don’t turn rubbery.

Key element — don’t overbake the shrimp

They only need 10–12 minutes in a hot oven. Pull the dish when they just turn pink and curl, like the photo.

Ingredients

Bake (4 servings)

1½ lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 oz cream cheese, cubed
¾ cup heavy cream
¼ cup chicken broth
½ cup grated parmesan
3 cups fresh spinach
1 cup cherry tomatoes
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes

Swaps

Chicken: Use diced chicken breast and bake 5 minutes longer.
Kale: Swap for spinach.
Cajun: Use Cajun seasoning instead of Italian.
Lighter: Use half-and-half and extra broth (sauce will be thinner).

Instructions

Heat the oven. Heat to 400°F (200°C). Pat the shrimp dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

Make the sauce. In a skillet, warm oil and cook garlic 30 seconds. Stir in cream cheese, cream, broth, and parmesan until smooth. Add spinach and wilt 1 minute.

Assemble. Pour the sauce into an oval baking dish. Nestle in the shrimp and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle red pepper flakes.

Bake. Bake 10–12 minutes until the shrimp are pink and the tomatoes blister. Rest 3 minutes and serve.

Pro tips

Dry shrimp brown better and don’t water down the sauce.
Leave tomatoes whole so they burst in the oven.
If the sauce is thick, splash in more broth before baking.
A broiler minute at the end colors the shrimp tops.
Serve in bowls so you catch the garlic cream.

Nutrition

Nutrient	Per serving
Calories	380
Protein	42g
Net carbohydrates	5g
Total carbohydrates	6g
Fiber	1g
Total fat	20g
Sodium	780mg

Estimates based on 1½ lb shrimp, cream cheese, cream, spinach, and tomatoes, divided into 4 servings. Exact numbers vary with shrimp size.

Variations

Lemon garlic

Add 1 Tbsp lemon juice and zest after baking.

Mushroom

Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic.

Cheesy top

Add ½ cup mozzarella for the last 5 minutes.

Skillet only

Simmer shrimp in the sauce 4–5 minutes instead of baking.

Storage

Method	Time	Notes
Refrigerator	Up to 2 days	Reheat gently so shrimp stay tender
Freezer	Not ideal	Shrimp turn rubbery
Reheat	Low skillet heat	Add a splash of cream

FAQ

Yes. There is no pasta or rice, so each serving stays around 5g net carbs.

Yes. Thaw and pat them very dry first so the sauce does not thin out.

Paprika and a little tomato juice from the cherries give the color in the photo.

You can, but the sauce will be thinner. Extra parmesan helps it cling.

Bake only until they turn pink, about 10–12 minutes. Do not start with already-cooked shrimp.

Four servings match the per-serving macros on the card.

Test your knowledge

5 quick questions about this creamy garlic shrimp bake

1. Protein per serving?

2. Net carbs per serving?

3. What vegetables are in the dish?

4. About how long should the shrimp bake?

5. Why pat the shrimp dry first?

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Bake