17 Shrimp Dinners That Don’t Need Sides to Feel Complete

ByMandy

Not every dinner plan has to come with a second act, especially when shrimp is involved. The 17 shrimp dinners in this collection prove a single dish can be plenty on its own. They’re balanced, hearty, and have a way of making dinner feel effortless. Choosing one means skipping the side dish debate while still eating well.

A bowl of Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot, served on a blue woven placemat with a spoon on the side.
Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot. Photo credit: Easy Indian Cookbook.

Shrimp Alfredo

A bowl of fettuccine pasta with shrimp in a creamy sauce, garnished with chopped parsley and black pepper.
Shrimp Alfredo. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A creamy pasta dish is always a good choice when you want a hearty meal. Shrimp Alfredo pairs rich, cheesy sauce with tender shrimp, making it a complete meal without needing extras. The shrimp adds protein, while the pasta provides balance. Each bite feels filling and well-rounded, perfect for dinner calls.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo

Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

A bowl of mixed salad with grilled shrimp, avocado, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, feta cheese, and a creamy dressing.
Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Salads don’t have to be boring, especially when shrimp is involved. Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing delivers bold flavors with tender shrimp and fresh components. No sides are needed, as this salad feels balanced and satisfying. It’s refreshing yet still filling enough as a standalone meal.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Shrimp Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Shrimp and Grits

A bowl of creamy grits topped with shrimp in a tomato-based sauce and garnished with fresh parsley.
Shrimp and Grits. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Southern classics like Shrimp and Grits bring together bold, comforting flavors that feel extra fulfilling. Salty shrimp paired with creamy, hearty grits make for a complete meal. The dish is perfect as it is, without needing any extras to round it out. Thanks to its versatility, this meal feels appropriate for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

Air Fryer Shrimp

A close-up shot of seasoned, air fryer shrimp garnished with fresh herbs.
Air Fryer Shrimp. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Quick and easy meals don’t need sides when they’re full of flavor and texture. Air Fryer Shrimp is perfect for those craving something crisp and tender in one bite. With no added fuss, it’s a simple dish that works well as a standalone plate. The light preparation ensures you can enjoy it fully without anything extra.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Shrimp

Mango Shrimp Salad

A bowl of shrimp ceviche with diced mango, avocado, red onion, red pepper, and cilantro, with a spoon inside.
Mango Shrimp Salad. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Fruit and protein are not an everyday pairing, but they work beautifully here. Mango Shrimp Salad offers a mix of sweetness and a robust seafood touch in every bite. No sides are needed, thanks to its balanced ingredients. This salad feels light yet filling, delivering everything in one bowl.
Get the Recipe: Mango Shrimp Salad

Bang Bang Shrimp

A bowl of rice topped with shrimp in a creamy sauce, garnished with cucumber slices, lime wedge, cilantro, and sliced green onions.
Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Ding-worthy dinners work best when they don’t leave you longing for extras. Bang Bang Shrimp packs bold flavors and a crispy texture for a dish that feels complete. It’s a plate you’ll enjoy eating without the need for anything else beside it. Quick and easy yet still a standalone option.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

A white plate holds grilled shrimp and vegetable skewers with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes, garnished with chopped herbs.
Grilled Shrimp Kabobs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Plates feel instantly complete when everything is built onto one skewer. Grilled Shrimp Kabobs take all the work out of pairing sides because they’re stacked beautifully together. With shrimp at the center, these kabobs provide the texture and flavor you need.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Kabobs

Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

A plate of creamy spaghetti with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil leaves.
Marry Me Shrimp Pasta. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Rich and indulgent dishes like Marry Me Shrimp Pasta always make an impression. Tender shrimp tossed in a creamy, flavorful sauce pairs perfectly with the pasta. It’s a dish designed to shine all by itself, so there’s no need to whip up sides. The hearty balance of flavors makes it perfect for a relaxed dinner setting.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Shrimp Pasta

Massaman Curry

A creamy shrimp curry with peppers, chopped nuts, sliced green onions, red chili slices, and lime wedges. Metal spoon submerged in the dish.
Massaman Curry. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Shrimp is simmered into a warm and richly accented dish with bold, unique flavors. Massaman Curry with shrimp features a comforting mix of ingredients that doesn’t ask for anything extra. The combination of textures and tastes gives it a complete, hearty feel.
Get the Recipe: Massaman Curry

Shrimp Burrito Bowls

A bowl of seasoned shrimp, avocado, corn, black beans, rice, and a dollop of sour cream, garnished with cilantro.
Shrimp Burrito Bowls. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Shrimp Burrito Bowls are both practical and delicious, mixing a little bit of everything you need into one dish. The combination of elements works perfectly to deliver a satisfying experience. Shrimp here is the centerpiece that brings everything together.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Burrito Bowls

Shrimp Cauliflower Fried Rice

Shrimp fried rice with peas, eggs, and diced vegetables being stirred with a wooden spatula.
Shrimp Cauliflower Fried Rice. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

A shrimp-filled dish replaces the classic choice with a low-maintenance, full meal. Shrimp Cauliflower Fried Rice combines lighter ingredients without sacrificing flavor or substance. This dish is perfect for a filling but fresh twist that doesn’t need a side. It’s all the variation you need in a single serving.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Cauliflower Fried Rice

Shrimp Ceviche

A close-up of shrimp ceviche with sliced red onions and chopped cilantro, served in a decorative green bowl.
Shrimp Ceviche. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Light yet fulfilling, this blend of shrimp delivers bold and fresh flavors. Shrimp Ceviche gives you everything that a stand-alone dish offers in terms of balance and fullness. The mix of fresh seafood stands out without any added sides. It’s simple, refreshing, and enough on its own for a complete plate.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Ceviche

Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp cocktail with peeled shrimp arranged on the rim of a glass filled with cocktail sauce, garnished with parsley.
Shrimp Cocktail. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Shrimp Cocktail is all about focusing on the basics for a complete bite. The shrimp is served perfectly, and it doesn’t feel like anything extra is missing. Perfect to serve on its own, it’s an ideal dish for when you want something easy yet filling. Quick to whip up, yet still feels like a complete and balanced choice.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail

Shrimp Fried Rice

A red plate of shrimp fried rice garnished with chopped green onions, with black chopsticks resting on the side.
Shrimp Fried Rice. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Meals like Shrimp Fried Rice are always filling and don’t require sides to complete them. The shrimp works alongside the rice to deliver a balanced and flavorful bite. Packed with everything you’d want in one bowl, it covers all the bases of a full meal. You’ll love it for its simplicity but also for how fulfilling it is.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Fried Rice

Shrimp Scampi

Close-up of cooked shrimp seasoned with herbs and black pepper.
Shrimp Scampi. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Garlic butter shrimp paired with pasta creates a hearty, flavor-packed dish. Shrimp Scampi captures bold flavors in one balanced, complete plate. The combination makes for an easy dinner that doesn’t need supporting sides. This is an ideal option when you want dinner to feel wholesome and uncomplicated.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Tacos

Close-up of a shrimp taco with avocado, tomato, red onion, and a drizzle of sauce in a toasted tortilla.
Shrimp Tacos. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bold and flavorful shrimp meet perfectly structured tacos for a full plate option. Shrimp Tacos offer all the elements of a complete dish without needing add-ons. The combination of textures in each bite makes this recipe one to enjoy in full. You won’t find anything missing on this dinner table.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot

A bowl of Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot, served on a blue woven placemat with a spoon on the side.
Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot. Photo credit: Easy Indian Cookbook.

A warm and rich choice like Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot is designed to be a complete bowl. The shrimp absorbs all the flavors from its base, making it the star of this dish. There’s no need for a side because each spoonful is packed with everything you need. It’s quick and simple to make while still feeling like a full meal.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Coconut Curry Instant Pot

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