Seafood can feel like the dinner plan that gets pushed aside when the evening gets busy. These 11 shrimp and salmon recipes keep the focus on weeknight family dinners, with quick skillet options, creamy pastas, oven meals, and sheet pan recipes that bring protein and sides together. The collection also gives you a mix of lighter salmon plates, richer shrimp pasta, and rice-friendly dinners for nights when everyone needs a real meal without a long list of extra sides.
Marry Me Salmon
In 25 minutes, Marry Me Salmon turns 1 pound of salmon into four servings with Italian seasoning, butter, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. The creamy sauce gives the fish something hearty to sit in, so it fits a family dinner better than a plain fillet. Serve it over rice, orzo, pasta, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables when the table needs a full plate.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Salmon
Bang Bang Shrimp
Coated with cornstarch and cooked fast, Bang Bang Shrimp makes four servings in 20 minutes with 1 1/2 pounds of shrimp, lime juice, Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. The cooked basmati rice turns it from appetizer-style shrimp into a family dinner. Add cucumber slices, green onions, and cilantro at the end for a bowl that feels complete without much extra prep.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp
Shrimp Scampi
Finished in 15 minutes, Shrimp Scampi uses 1 pound of large shrimp with olive oil, fresh garlic, butter, dry white wine, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, Parmesan, and parsley. The recipe serves 3, so it works for a smaller table or a dinner where sides do some of the stretching. Spoon it over pasta, zucchini noodles, or crusty bread when the night needs seafood without a long cook time.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Alfredo
Built for a pasta night that still feels practical, Shrimp Alfredo makes four servings in 30 minutes with fettuccine, 1 pound of shrimp, olive oil, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan, and parsley. The sauce coats the pasta while the shrimp cooks quickly, which keeps dinner moving on a weeknight. Pair it with broccoli, asparagus, garlic bread, or a simple salad to balance the richer skillet.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo
Baked Salmon
With a 25-minute total time, Baked Salmon uses 1 pound of salmon with olive oil, honey, fresh orange juice, garlic, thyme, and sliced orange. The recipe serves 2, so it is a good fit for a smaller family dinner or a seafood plate with extra sides. Roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, quinoa, couscous, or green beans can stretch it into a fuller weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Baked Salmon
Flaky Grilled Salmon
Brushed with lemon herb butter, Grilled Salmon Recipe serves 4 in 30 minutes using salmon fillets, olive oil, lemon zest, butter, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and chopped herbs. The grill keeps the fish simple while still giving dinner a clear main protein. Add rice, salad, grilled vegetables, or bread on the side when the family wants seafood but not another heavy pasta night.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Grilled Salmon
Coconut Shrimp
Ready in 20 minutes, Coconut Shrimp makes 6 servings from 1 pound of jumbo shrimp coated with flour, curry powder, egg whites, sweetened coconut, and breadcrumbs. The fried coating gives this seafood dinner a kid-friendly angle while the sweet chili sauce keeps the plate from feeling plain. Serve with fried rice, mango salsa, cucumber salad, or steamed edamame when dinner needs a little crunch.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Shrimp
Sheet Pan Salmon
Roasted with vegetables, Sheet Pan Salmon serves 4 in 1 hour and 10 minutes, including marination, with Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, thyme, salmon, baby potatoes, broccoli, asparagus, and lemon slices. The potatoes roast first, then the salmon and vegetables finish on the same pan. It works for a weeknight when cleanup matters as much as getting protein and sides handled together.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Salmon
Sheet Pan Shrimp
Using one roasting pan, Sheet Pan Shrimp makes 4 servings in 40 minutes with raw shrimp, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, zucchini, red onion, olive oil, Italian seasoning, and garlic. The vegetables roast first, then the shrimp goes in near the end so it stays tender. Serve it with rice, quinoa, warm corn tortillas, or crusty bread for a family dinner that keeps dishes low.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp
Shrimp Etouffee
Thickened with a roux, Shrimp Etouffee serves 6 in 40 minutes with 1 1/2 pounds of shrimp, Cajun seasoning, butter, flour, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, chicken broth, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs. The sauce is built to sit over rice, which makes it a strong choice when the family needs a filling seafood dinner. Keep extra green onions or parsley nearby for serving.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Etouffee
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta
Ready in 25 minutes, Marry Me Shrimp Pasta brings spaghetti, 1 pound of shrimp, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil into one creamy skillet dinner. The recipe serves 4, which fits a small family meal without a giant batch left behind. It works well when seafood night needs pasta on the plate, especially with a salad, asparagus, or garlic bread on the side.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Shrimp Pasta