1-First Step: Get everything ready Preheat your oven to 350°F. This gives the oven time to reach the right temperature while you make the sauce and arrange the shrimp. Grab a medium saucepan and a 9×13-inch baking dish, since you will use both for this recipe. Rinse and slice the green onions, slice the lemon, and make sure your garlic is minced. If your shrimp are not already cleaned, rinse them lightly and pat them dry. Since the recipe uses 2 pounds of medium to large fresh shrimp, unpeeled, you can leave the shells on for better moisture and more flavor while baking.

2-Second Step: Build the sauce base Add 1 and a half sticks butter, 1/4 cup olive oil, and 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce to the saucepan. Stir in the 6 cloves minced garlic, 2 bay leaves, 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Set the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. You want the butter to melt fully and the spices to bloom in the liquid. This step is where the flavor starts to build, so stir often and keep an eye on the heat. If you want a deeper Cajun taste, let the sauce simmer just long enough for the garlic and spices to perfume the kitchen, but do not let it boil hard.

3-Third Step: Finish the sauce Once the sauce is simmering, remove it from the heat. Stir in 3 sliced green onions, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1 sliced lemon. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt if needed. The Worcestershire sauce and Creole seasoning may already bring salt, so add carefully and in small amounts. This is a good time to check the balance. If it tastes too sharp, let it sit for a minute so the flavors can settle. If it tastes too rich, another small splash of lemon juice can help brighten it up.

4-Fourth Step: Arrange the shrimp Place the shrimp in a single layer in the baking dish. Try not to pile them too high, because even spacing helps them cook evenly. Keeping the shells on helps the shrimp stay tender and gives the finished dish a more old-school New Orleans feel. Pour the warm butter mixture evenly over the shrimp. Make sure every piece gets some of the garlic, lemon, and spice-filled sauce. If the shrimp are all coated well, they will bake into a dish that is juicy, fragrant, and full of flavor.

5-Fifth Step: Bake until just done Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir the shrimp once halfway through baking so they cook evenly and soak up more sauce. The shrimp are ready when they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overbake them. Shrimp cook quickly, and too much time in the oven can make them rubbery. The shells help protect them, but once they are firm and pink, they are done.

6-Final Step: Serve hot with bread Serve the shrimp straight from the baking dish while the sauce is still bubbling and fragrant. This dish is made for dipping, so French bread is the classic choice. Tear off a piece and soak up the buttery sauce with every bite. For a full meal, you can also serve it with rice, a green salad, or roasted vegetables. If you are planning a Southern-style dinner spread, a sweet finish like chocolate pecan pie can be a nice follow-up.