1-First Step: Preheat and get your dish ready Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Set out a 9×13-inch baking dish so it is ready when the shrimp and sauce are finished. This recipe moves fast once the sauce is hot, so having everything ready makes the process smoother. If your shrimp are frozen, thaw them fully first and pat them dry.

2-Second Step: Build the sauce Place the butter, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, bay leaves, Creole seasoning, oregano, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, green onions, lemon juice, and sliced lemon into a saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Stir often so the butter melts evenly and the garlic does not scorch. The kitchen will start smelling amazing at this point. Once the sauce is simmering, remove it from the heat. Taste it carefully and adjust the salt if needed. Because Worcestershire sauce and Creole seasoning can already be salty, it is best to add salt only if you think it really needs it.

3-Third Step: Add the shrimp to the baking dish Spread the unpeeled shrimp in a single layer inside the 9×13-inch baking dish. Keeping the shrimp in their shells helps protect them during baking, which keeps the meat tender and juicy. If you can find shrimp with heads on, they add even more flavor, though they are not required. Pour the warm butter mixture evenly over the shrimp. Make sure the sauce reaches as many shrimp as possible so every piece gets coated. If you want a slightly deeper flavor, gently turn the shrimp once before baking.

4-Fourth Step: Bake until just cooked Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir the shrimp once during cooking so the sauce stays evenly distributed. The shrimp are done when they turn pink, curl slightly, and feel firm. Be careful not to overbake them, since shrimp can become rubbery if they stay in the oven too long. This is one of the easiest parts of the recipe, but it is also the most important. Shrimp cook quickly, so keep an eye on them during the last few minutes. If your shrimp are on the larger side, they may need the full 20 minutes. Smaller shrimp will be ready a bit sooner.

5-Final Step: Serve with French bread Remove the dish from the oven and serve the shrimp hot with plenty of French bread. The bread is perfect for soaking up the buttery sauce left in the pan. You can also serve this meal with rice or a simple salad if you want to stretch it a little farther.