Love shrimp, love grilled cheese, let’s put ’em together! That is basically how this recipe came to me. 😉
Those of you that have a picky eater in the house may relate to this…since I have a limited selection of ingredients that my picky eater likes, I like to try combining them in all sorts of ways to get a little variety going.
Don’t get me wrong, my philosophy is actually NOT to cater to my picky eater on a regular basis, but every so often I like to try to serve something he really likes, just because he is my kid and I love to see his eyes light up when he hears the dinner plans. He likes shrimp, he loves cheese, and he LOVES bread, so combining them was a natural progression.
And shrimp is a good source of lean protein!
— A 3-ounce serving of four large shrimp weighs in at less than 85 calories, 1 gram of fat and nearly 20 grams of protein.
— Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that people consume at least two servings of seafood each week. But, while Americans consume annually more than 80 pounds of beef and 60 pounds of chicken per capita, shrimp – the nation’s most-popular seafood – rings in at a mere 3.8 pounds per individual.*
* Per capita consumption of beef and chicken is courtesy of the USDA and reflects the 2011 calendar year, the most recent complete beef and poultry data available. Per capita consumption of shrimp is courtesy of NOAA and reflects the 2012 calendar year, the most recent complete seafood data available.
Here is a handy summary of different sizes of shrimp. I want to try some of those colossal ones! 🙂
This grilled cheese was a hit with the whole family, including a dinner guest! Thing 1 had a friend over who didn’t mind being included with the rest of the family as a guinea pig for this new recipe. I am pleased to report that he really liked it!
Thing 2 rating = 
(4 biscuits out of 5 ). Since this recipe is so easy, and everyone likes it, this is definitely going on the list to serve again and again!
Zingy Shrimp Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound small shrimp
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay spice (add more or less to taste)
- 12 slices of bread (I used a multi-grain variety)
- Buttery spread or butter
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 1/2 cups shredded monterey jack/colby blend
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a skillet.
- Add the shrimp, paprika, and Old Bay and cook until the shrimp is pink and cooked. Set aside.
- Butter one side of each of the 12 slices of bread with the buttery spread.
- Place 6 of the slices butter side down on a baking sheet.
- Distribute the spinach across the 6 slices, then distribute the cooked shrimp, then then the shredded cheese.
- Place the remaining 6 slices of bread on top, buttered side up.
- Bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes, then flip the sandwiches and bake about 6 minutes more, until the sandwiches are golden brown and crispy. (Alternatively, you can grill them on the stove top on a griddle or in a skillet).
Recipe Notes
Nutrition information is approximate. Your results may be different due to different brands/products and measuring differences.
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Julia says
Hello! I am featuring your Zingy Shrimp Grilled Cheese on my Tasty Tuesday hop tomorrow! Make sure you come back over and grab a featured button and link up some more great recipes!
Julia @ Mini Van Dreams
Sarah Fuller says
I sure love shrimp, so I am definitely intrigued by this recipe. Pinning.
Jess says
This looks amazing!!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Angel says
WoW! I want one now. This sandwich looks awesome. I’ve got to make this! Thanks for sharing your recipe at Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party.
Angel
Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods says
Ooooo. This looks so good. Pinning!
Bernadette says
Thanks so much Kristin! I can’t wait to try this recipe. It is perfect for Fridays during Lent. I also like that I can finish the meal in the oven rather than standing over the stove. I think this grilled cheese would be a fabulous appetizer as well.
Kristin King says
Hi Bernadette! Your son is actually Thing 1’s friend I mentioned in my post, not sure if you were aware of that! 🙂 I was a little nervous about serving an experimental recipe to a guest, but he was such a good sport and so gracious. And I think he really did like it, so if you try the recipe, you know you will have at least one kid enjoy it! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
lynn buttedal says
yummy shrimp grilled cheese!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
Love this grown up grilled cheese that my daughter will love too. My picky eater son will probably not eat this but that means more for the rest of the family…lol.
Kristin King says
Haha! I totally relate, sometimes when my picky eater doesn’t like something I am kind of glad because there is more for the rest of us! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
Shannon @ MamaMusing Online says
I’m a huge shrimp fan, but my husband is not. But he does love grilled cheese, so I’m going to surprise him and try this!
Kristin King says
Good luck! I hope he likes it! 🙂
Lisa @ ShopGirlDaily.com says
Wow. I can’t believe I’ve never thought to put shrimp on a grilled cheese before! I love shrimp and I love cheese so this seems like a no brainer!
miss messy says
Why have I never put shrimp in grilled cheese before? This sounds amazing 🙂
Marion@Life Tastes Good says
Great idea! I love shrimp and I love grilled cheese!! Why not put them together?! No reason! stumbled 🙂
Edward Antrobus says
Of course, shrimp has a few reasons why it’s per-capita consumption is so low compared to beef and chicken. 1) There are a lot of people with shellfish allergies. My wife is one. Luckily, I never really developed a taste for it so I don’t miss it like I miss other foods she can’t eat or doesn’t like. The other reason is, of course that it’s really expensive compared to warm-blooded animals. Chicken and ground beef are under $3/lb and even NY Strip is just $6 while shrimp is $9/lb
Kristin King says
Yes, that is very true! The price factor is one of the reasons we don’t enjoy shrimp more often! 🙂
Denise says
Kristin, Such a great grown up grill cheese! Can’t wait to try this one. Pinning the recipe and the shrimp graphic. I know I will use that information over and over. Thanks!