Stovetop Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Tomato and Basil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy shrimp cooked quickly in a spicy garlic tomato sauce, finished with fresh basil for a vibrant seafood sauté. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 17 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 260 calories and feeds 3, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 7 min Serves 3 Mediterranean cuisine 260 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 pound peeled and deveined large shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 2 minutes without stirring to develop a sear.
  3. Step 3: Flip shrimp and add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and tomatoes soften.
  4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice for brightness.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately over rice or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stovetop Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Tomato and Basil take to make?

Total time is about 17 minutes (10 min prep + 7 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 Stovetop Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Tomato and Basil?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stovetop Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Tomato and Basil?

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 Stovetop Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Tomato and Basil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Stovetop Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Tomato and Basil?

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.

Related recipes