Sautéed Shrimp with Tomato and Basil over Garlic Butter Rice
Succulent shrimp sautéed with fresh tomatoes and basil, served over fragrant garlic butter rice for a bright, satisfying meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 35 minutes pairs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium pot, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat, then add 1 minced garlic clove and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add the rinsed rice to the pot and stir for 1 minute to coat grains in garlic butter. Pour in 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender. Remove from heat and let sit covered 5 minutes.
- Step 3: While rice cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until tomatoes soften slightly and flavors meld.
- Step 6: Fluff the garlic butter rice with a fork and serve topped with the sautéed shrimp and tomato-basil mixture.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Shrimp with Tomato and Basil over Garlic Butter Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sautéed Shrimp with Tomato and Basil over Garlic Butter Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Shrimp with Tomato and Basil over Garlic Butter Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sautéed Shrimp with Tomato and Basil over Garlic Butter Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sautéed Shrimp with Tomato and Basil over Garlic Butter Rice?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
