BBQ Shrimp with Creamy Cheese Polenta

BBQ Shrimp with Creamy Cheese Polenta

4.3 of 5 (35)
member ratings
Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 4
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 296.1
  • Total Fat: 4.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 168.6 mg
  • Sodium: 412.2 mg
  • Total Carbs: 41.0 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4.2 g
  • Protein: 23.3 g

View full nutritional breakdown of BBQ Shrimp with Creamy Cheese Polenta calories by ingredient


Introduction

I don't know a kid who doesn't love the combo of cheese and barbecue sauce. This dish is a swap on mac-n-cheese and BBQ chicken that's quick and grown-up approved.
I don't know a kid who doesn't love the combo of cheese and barbecue sauce. This dish is a swap on mac-n-cheese and BBQ chicken that's quick and grown-up approved.

Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

    Shrimp:
    2 teaspoons olive oil
    1 large red onion, diced (about 1 cup)
    1 cup matchstick carrots, (about 2 carrots, shredded)
    1 large bell pepper, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
    1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
    1 cup no salt added diced tomatoes with juice
    1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
    1/4 cup prepared barbeque sauce*

    Polenta:
    4 servings instant polenta (about 4.5 ounces dry)
    1/4 cup skim milk
    2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

    * Compare labels and choose a variety that's lower in salt and sugar. We used the Annie's brand.

Tips

Want something green to go with this meal? Add 4 cups fresh spinach to the dish when you add the tomatoes and shrimp.
Not a fan of shrimp? Swap in a pound of chicken breasts or turkey breast cutlets.
Make sure you don't add the polenta to the boiling water until you have just added the shrimp to the skillet. Polenta thickens quickly.
Photo credit: PhotoKitchen.net


Directions

Bring 2 1/4 cups water to boil in a large saucepan.
While water heats up, preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil to the pan, then add the onion and carrots to the warmed oil. Saute for two minutes, then add the bell pepper and paprika. Cook another two minutes.
Add the tomatoes and shrimp to the pan and cover. Cook for three minutes, until the shrimp are fully cooked. (The shrimp tails will curl in, and they'll be opaque.)
As soon as you cover the pan, add the polenta to the boiling water. Cook for three minutes then turn off both the polenta and the shrimp.
Add the milk and cheese to the polenta, stir, and serve. (Add up to 1/2 cup water if the polenta seems too thick.)
Stir the barbecue sauce into the shrimp.
To serve, place 1 cup polenta into a shallow bowl. Top with 1 cup of the shrimp and veggie mixture.

Serving Size: Makes 4 servings; 1 cup polenta and 1 cup shrimp and vegetables

Member Ratings For This Recipe


  • no profile photo

    Good
    5 of 5 people found this review helpful
    Quite nice and easy to make. Since I low-carb, I substituted spaghetti squash for the polenta. - 10/7/12


  • no profile photo


    3 of 7 people found this review helpful
    In North Carolina a favorite dish is Cheesy Grits with shrimp. How would it be different with polenta? - 10/8/12


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
    Very good, but needed a little more flavor. I added more paprika at the table. - 10/7/12


  • no profile photo


    2 of 4 people found this review helpful
    I am from South Africa. With spicy sea salt seasoning, fry a large chopped onion, add to polenta with cupful of biltong (jerky for America, of course) and 1 x 410 g tin creamed sweetcorn, sweet chilli sauce - add lotsa cheddar just before serving - plus mixed salad. Yummy!! Nutritionwise? No idea! - 10/7/13


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    1 of 5 people found this review helpful
    I luv this recipe it sounds just perfect. - 11/19/12


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    Delicious dish. Yes, the combo of cheese and grits is outstanding.
    add in the shrimp and you have a winner.
    - 3/26/21


  • no profile photo


    My neighbor (on Spark) made this and I found it rather bland. - 3/6/21


  • no profile photo


    Very delicious and easy to put together - 3/6/21


  • no profile photo


    Not my favourite but easy to make. - 3/6/21


  • no profile photo


    A very nice way to eat shrimp. - 12/20/20


  • no profile photo


    This is going to be good I can tell. Will try it first chance I get to buy some shrimp - 9/28/20


  • no profile photo


    really good - 8/30/20


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    Yum - 8/29/20


  • no profile photo


    Changed the shrimp for cooked chicken and switched the peppers for celery. Turned out great. - 8/26/20


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    tasty - 8/12/20


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    Laissez les bons temps rouler. - 2/24/20


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    This was really good. I added Basil & garlic to it. - 1/27/20


  • no profile photo

    Good
    I like the base recipe and will definitely make again with some adjustments, i.e., spices, vegetables. - 12/30/19


  • no profile photo


    the family has banned shrimp, so I substituted turkey beast meat. They ate that. - 10/21/19


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    Kinda bland so I added some sharp cheddar cheese. - 10/16/19


  • no profile photo


    great seafood recipe - 9/22/19


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    /quick easy delicious recipe - 9/10/19


  • no profile photo


    Great - 9/7/19


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    Really like this recipe (except the polenta as I cannot eat grains). I serve it over steamed cauliflower rice with garlic butter. - 5/21/19


  • no profile photo


    This looks very good but I would make it with chicken. - 4/7/19


  • no profile photo


    thanks - 1/20/19


  • no profile photo


    Great idea - 1/17/19


  • no profile photo


    THANKS - 1/13/19


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    So easy great recipe. - 1/13/19


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    This is a great dinner or would be good for breakfast too. - 1/13/19


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    Was a nice dish. - 12/8/18


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    Thanks for sharing - 12/8/18


  • no profile photo

    Good
    not so much - 10/27/18


  • no profile photo


    Should be grits - 10/8/18


  • no profile photo


    interesting... - 9/25/18


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    My new favorite recipe! - 9/20/18


  • no profile photo


    Such a delicious meal!!! - 8/27/18


  • no profile photo


    real yummy - 8/27/18


  • no profile photo


    Yummy - 8/19/18


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    Yep and easy - 8/19/18


  • no profile photo


    very good - 8/19/18


  • no profile photo


    Nice recipe - 8/17/18


  • no profile photo


    hubby loves shrimp me allergic - 8/5/18


  • no profile photo


    What is polenta like? It looks/sounds delicious! May need to try this. - 6/23/18


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    Delicious! - 12/12/17


  • no profile photo


    I did not think I would like polenta but OI did I added more seasoning though - 11/15/17


  • no profile photo


    I did not think I would like polenta but OI did I added more seasoning though - 11/15/17


  • no profile photo


    Great flavor combination. - 9/24/17


  • no profile photo


    Delicious, I have to try. - 8/3/17


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    I thought this was great, DH not so much. I'm sure I'll enjoy the leftovers, but won't likely make it again. - 12/11/14


  • no profile photo

    Good
    This one just doesn't do it for me. :-( - 10/7/13


  • no profile photo


    0 of 3 people found this review helpful
    Polenta is Italian for grits. Shrimp and cheese grits is a Louisiana staple. Corn is a grain and a low glycemic carbohydrate and excluding carbohydrates from the diet unbalances the macro nutrients.. - 8/22/13


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    This is one of my favorite recipes. I made it tonight for probably the 6th time. I think I finally got the polenta right and it was even better. Filling and healthy and I get shrimp shells for fish stock for my Jambalaya. - 6/13/13


  • no profile photo

    O.K.
    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
    Not as flavorful as I would like for my taste. - 12/26/12


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
    This is fantastic! I used cheese grits like the other southern lady suggested. :-). Incredible! - 12/1/12


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    love the flavor used whole wheat pasta since I could not find polenta at no frills. Thanks for posting this! - 11/1/12


  • no profile photo


    0 of 2 people found this review helpful
    Since I don't know what Polenta is, I think I'll just do the shrimp and vegetables with a side salad. Sounds yummy. - 10/26/12


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    0 of 2 people found this review helpful
    I really liked the recipe. I wouldn't add the milk or Parmesan to the polenta since you can't really taste it. I would add a reduced fat cheddar on the veggie mix afterwards. - 10/17/12


  • no profile photo


    0 of 2 people found this review helpful
    I might try it. I'm not a fan of polenta, but I love shrimp - 10/7/12


  • no profile photo


    0 of 2 people found this review helpful
    I eat shrimp at last once a week, so I will gladly give this a try Plus love polenta, being Italian. Might try with chicken. I will use my own BBQ sauce. As I try to stay away from products with preservatives and too much sodium. All the other flavors I like are there. - 10/7/12


  • no profile photo


    0 of 3 people found this review helpful
    Sounds delightful...I think it is on the menu for THursday night!!! - 10/7/12


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    Excellent!!! - 10/7/12