70 Deliciously Easy Seafood Dinners You Can’t Mess Up
If you've never attempted it before, cooking fish and seafood at home can be intimidating, but we're here to tell you—you don’t have to let restaurants have all the fun! It’s actually quite easy to cook everything from salmon to shrimp, scallops to lobster, and everything in between, all at home. Whether you're new to it, or are an old pro looking for inspiration, these 75 weeknight seafood dinners include everything from basic staples to wild flavor combos to guarantee you'll never get bored.
If you’re unsure of swapping seafood in for your regular chicken and red meat dishes, consider this: Seafood contains a ton of nutrients like omega-3s, iron, protein, and vitamins B and D (more than any other meat, according to the FDA!). The best part? Most fish take less than 15 minutes to cook, meaning you can have dinner on the table FAST.
If you’re new to cooking seafood, try one of our easy whole fish recipes, like baked cod, garlicky lemon baked tilapia, or our baked Chilean sea bass. They’re not super fishy-tasting, and are impossible to mess up. Want something a bit more involved? Try our Cajun stuffed salmon, our jerk shrimp pineapple bowls, or our Nashville hot fish & chips. Looking for a more low-key weeknight meal? Try our fish taco bowls, our feta & herb crusted salmon, or our garlic butter shrimp & asparagus. We’ve also got tons of pasta dishes that come together quickly, like our roasted red pepper shrimp linguine, our shrimp pasta Alfredo, our smoked salmon pasta, and our lobster ravioli. Use these as jumping off points for adding seafood to all your favorite weeknight dinners.
For more dinner ideas, check out our top chicken weeknight dinners, our favorite summer dinner recipes, and our best quick, healthy, cost-effective meals too.
Garlic Butter Shrimp & Asparagus
Similar to our lemon garlic butter shrimp, but with an extra-springy vegetable addition, this garlic butter shrimp & asparagus is simple—it only takes 20 minutes from start to finish—and is great for any level of cook.
Get the Garlic Butter Shrimp & Asparagus recipe.
Feta, Spinach, & Tomato Stuffed Salmon
Oven-roasted salmon is already delicious on its own, but adding a filling made of briny feta cheese, earthy cooked spinach, and savory-sweet cherry tomatoes will take your favorite fish up a few notches.
Get the Feta, Spinach, & Tomato Stuffed Salmon recipe.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon & Orzo
When you’re in the mood for a one-pan dinner that delivers on the comfort food factor, this recipe with salmon, creamy orzo, and sun-dried tomatoes is the one to turn to.
Get the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Salmon & Orzo recipe.
Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowls
Not only is a pineapple bowl a super-cute and fun way to serve dinner, but it also guarantees your meal is going to be loaded with plenty of fresh, delicious pineapple. In this case, we’ve got jerk marinated shrimp, sweet bell peppers, and a sweet and spicy glaze you'll love.
Get the Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowls recipe.
Greek Salmon Salad
This gorgeous salad is hearty enough to be dinner, but light enough to not weigh you down. While the salmon is cooking, you can get all of your veggie chopping done, meaning it's an easy meal with big reward!
Get the Greek Salmon Salad recipe.
Fish Taco Bowls
Crispy fish and a creamy, spicy cabbage slaw are the base of these veggie-packed takes on everyone’s favorite taco. The sweetness from the diced mango and creaminess from cool avocado blends perfectly with the drizzle of a spicy crema, making this summer salad an instant staple.
Get the Fish Taco Bowls recipe.
Sheet-Pan Garlic Butter Salmon & Asparagus
Garlic and butter might be one of the greatest flavor pairings of all time. Now, garlic butter is here to save your weeknight dinner with this one-pan salmon & asparagus meal that's ready in as little as 30 minutes!
Get the Sheet-Pan Garlic Butter Salmon & Asparagus recipe.
Blackened Shrimp Bowls
Filled with whole grains, protein, and fresh veg, these are the perfect grain bowls if you're looking for an easy, healthy lunch or satisfying weeknight dinner to enjoy all summer long.
Get the Blackened Shrimp Bowls recipe.
Spicy Sesame Salmon
Looking for a new way to cook salmon? Similar to the beloved sesame-crusted tuna, this salmon gets coated in sesame seeds to lend crunch and flavor. Pair it with rice and a little spicy mayo, and you'll have a bowl that tastes just like a spicy salmon roll.
Get the Spicy Sesame Salmon recipe.
Feta & Herb-Crusted Salmon
For this Mediterranean-inspired version, you just arrange your salmon on a sheet tray (lined with aluminum foil for the easiest cleanup), sprinkle on the toppings, and bake it for 25 minutes. No flipping, no sticking, and no mess!
Get the Feta & Herb-Crusted Salmon recipe.
Lobster Risotto
Here, a simple combination of fresh aromatics, white wine, and seafood stock transforms humble Italian rice grains into the dreamy, cheesy, luscious rice porridge that we’ve all come to love. Adding fresh, faintly sweet lobster meat is all that’s needed to take your risotto over the top.
Get the Lobster Risotto recipe.
Everything Bagel Crusted Salmon
It’s time to bring the brunch vibes to dinnertime with everything bagel seasoning-crusted salmon and a refreshing salad that’s reminiscent of the toppings on your favorite bagel & lox. And if you’ve never turned cream cheese into a salad dressing, now is the time to start.
Get the Everything Bagel Crusted Salmon recipe.
Creamy Cajun Stuffed Salmon
Blackened and stuffed, these salmon fillets are packed with Cajun flavor and are quite easy to prepare for a last-minute, weeknight dinner. Tip: Ask the fish counter for pieces of salmon from the head side of the fish (opposed to the tail side).
Get the Creamy Cajun Stuffed Salmon recipe.
Roasted Red Pepper Shrimp Linguine
Creamy, smoky, and spicy, this comforting shrimp pasta is low effort, high reward. Thanks to store-bought roasted peppers, very little active cooking time is required. Though you totally could roast your own peppers, we actually preferred the jarred version rather than homemade roasted peppers while testing this recipe!
Get the Roasted Red Pepper Shrimp Linguine recipe.
Coconut Curry Shrimp & Peas
Say goodbye to ho-hum weeknight meals. This coconut curry shrimp and peas recipe is a quick route to a delicious, crowd-pleasing dinner.
Get the Coconut Curry Shrimp & Peas recipe.
Lobster Ravioli
For this version of lobster ravioli, we used wonton wrappers instead of pasta dough. If you want actual pasta-encased lobster ravioli, then our pasta dough is great; otherwise, we promise you’re going to make these over and over again.
Get the Lobster Ravioli recipe.
Firecracker Salmon
If you're looking for a new way to bring on the heat at dinnertime, this firecracker salmon recipe is here to blow the roof off your mouth. Okay, not really—the sweet and spicy sauce does combine three hot elements, but it doesn't get too crazy.
Get the Firecracker Salmon recipe.
Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets
Grilling fish can be intimidating, but with foil packs, there's no need to stress. It's not just fish that you can put inside, either—here, there's a medley of zucchini and yellow summer squash with a smoky honey-chipotle sauce. 😍
Get the Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets recipe.
Chirashi Bowls
Chirashizushi (ちらし寿司) translates to "scattered sushi" and is a style of sushi that entails exactly what the name suggests: pieces of sashimi over sushi rice. Chirashizushi—or chirashi bowls—is probably the simplest way to enjoy what you love about sushi without having to learn how to roll maki.
Get the Chirashi Bowls recipe.
Nashville Hot Fish & Chips
Fish & chips meet Nashville-style fried chicken. It’s a spicy match and a fun summer dinner idea. It’s not light-your-mouth-on-fire hot, but you’ll appreciate having a beer on hand to wash it down with
Get the Nashville Hot Fish & Chips recipe.
Dragon Roll
Uramaki arguably reaches a peak of extravagance with the dragon roll, with its gorgeous "scales" of thinly sliced mango and avocado and drizzle of spicy sriracha mayo. The roll is wrapped in classic vinegar-seasoned rice and filled with crispy shrimp tempura, a mix of buttery avocado, and crunchy cucumber.
Get the Dragon Roll recipe.
Salmon & Potato Skillet
We love a hands-off dinner, and this salmon and potato skillet is just that. In just 45 minutes, you’ll have an easy, delicious, and filling meal that can be customized every time you make it.
Get the Salmon & Potato Skillet recipe.
Shrimp Scampi
This dish is made using plump, pink shrimp and is usually served over a heaping bowl of pasta; however, sometimes the pasta can detract from the delectable simplicity of this dish. The shrimp is the main event, so in this recipe, it's treated as such.
Get the Shrimp Scampi recipe.
Garlicky Lemon Baked Tilapia
Tilapia has a very mild fish taste, and is a great way to get those non-fish eaters to love it. We cooked ours in plenty of butter, lemon, and garlic to make it bright and fresh and easy for everyone to enjoy.
Get the Garlicky Lemon Baked Tilapia recipe.
Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil
A mix of shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, and potatoes, this Cajun summer favorite everything you love about a good ol' fashioned shrimp boil, minus the mess.
Get the Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil recipe.
Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
We could tell you everything we love about this honey-garlic salmon, but we think that the fact that this recipe was one of our top recipes of 2022 and an enduring, tried-and-true favorite of Delish readers speaks for itself.
Get the Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon recipe.
Spicy Salmon Bowl
Spicy salmon is the perfect topper for a brown rice bowl. The rest of the components here are optional (though we are pretty partial to those quick pickled cukes), so feel free to get creative!
Get the Spicy Salmon Bowl recipe.
Fish Tacos
The fish—we use cod, but any flaky variety, like tilapia, works—marinates in a mixture of lime juice, chili powder, and cumin that will become your standard. But the real gem of this recipe is the red cabbage slaw—don't skip it!
Get the Fish Tacos recipe.
Southern-Fried Catfish Katsu
Somewhere between Japanese chicken katsu and Southern-style fried catfish lies this delightfully comforting and hearty dinner. Flaky, buttermilk-brined catfish is accompanied by a crunchy slaw (in place of katsu’s standard shredded cabbage) and some white rice. To finish, drizzle with tartar and katsu sauce.
Get the Southern-Fried Catfish Katsu recipe.
Seafood Gumbo
You might be wondering why we call for shrimps with the tails on for this Louisiana classic. Though it won’t make or break your gumbo, shrimp shells have SO much flavor, so we always prefer to keep them on.
Get the Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo recipe.
Pad Thai
We've got all the top tips to get this Thai stir-fry just right. Best part? Making this dish at home means you can have it exactly the way you like it, so feel free to swap or add to the shrimp or eggs with chicken, tofu, or stir-fried veggies.
Get the Pad Thai recipe.
Spicy Tuna Roll
In restaurants, spicy tuna sushi rolls usually involve raw, sushi-grade fish. But if raw fish is out of reach, this recipe uses humble canned tuna. That’s not to say you can’t use the basic skeleton of this recipe for raw tuna if you can find it—just substitute in sushi-grade fish, finely chopped, and proceed onward!
Get the Spicy Tuna Roll recipe.
Arctic Char with Pistachio Gremolata
This recipe is easy yet elegant (AKA worthy of dinner parties), it comes together in a half an hour, and it teaches the foundations of good cooking techniques. (like how to cook skin-on fish so it gets crispy, not soggy, and how to create an easy herb gremolata to top anything you can think of).
Get the Arctic Char With Pistachio Gremolata recipe.
Miso Butter Cod
This is an easy and healthy dinner that's ready in just 40 minutes. The cod and bok choy roast together, keeping things simple, while a miso butter and sriracha sauce keep it from being boring.
Get the Miso Butter Cod recipe.
Salmon Burgers
A great burger is so much more than just beef, and these 5-star salmon burgers are here to prove it. The secret? Canned salmon!
Get the Lemon-Dill Salmon Burgers recipe.
Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Cooking a weeknight dinner can be exhausting. There's so much thinking that needs to happen. Mainly, is there enough time to make this? 🤔But this garlic butter shrimp recipe requires almost no planning—all you need to do is pick up shrimp. Meaning, it's perfect for dinner TONIGHT.
Get the Lemon Garlic Shrimp recipe.
Mahi Mahi Tacos
Here we’ve used a mayo-based marinade that adds some richness and a ton of flavor that makes it resemble blackened salmon that you might find in the South. Throw the fish on a tortilla with some spicy pineapple-jalapeño salsa and you'll have an amazing summer taco night.
Get the Mahi Mahi Tacos recipe.
Baked Cod
If you're someone who's afraid of cooking seafood at home, cod is the fish for you. It's basically impossible to mess up: It cooks quickly, is hard to overcook (unless you really forget about it), and is easy to flavor however you want.
Get the Baked Cod recipe.
Smoked Salmon Pasta
Smoked salmon pasta sounds really fancy, but the truth is, it's the easiest and fastest pasta we've ever made. It comes together in just under 30 minutes making it the perfect dish to whip up on a weeknight, but still good enough to impress your guests.
Get the Smoked Salmon Pasta recipe.
Baked Chilean Sea Bass
With Chilean sea bass—aka Patagonian toothfish—it's worth getting the flavors and cooking method just right. Enter this foolproof approach, which infuses each bite of fish with umami (aka, savory) flavors from the miso and soy sauce.
Get the Baked Chilean Sea Bass recipe.
Tuscan Butter Shrimp
Paired with sweet cherry tomatoes and spinach, this saucy Tuscan butter shrimp dinner is ready to be served in less than 30 minutes.
Get the Tuscan Butter Shrimp recipe.
Grilled Halibut
Halibut is a mild fish and a good options for those that don't like overly "fishy" fish. This grilled recipe is easy, fresh, and healthy. The mango salsa on top brings it all together and makes the meal feel tropical.
Get the Grilled Halibut recipe.
Air Fryer Salmon
For the fastest meal ever, turn to your air fryer. This salmon cooks in just 10 minutes and comes out perfectly tender and flaky on the inside with an amazing top crust. The sweet mustard topping takes it to the next level, but feel free to experiment with other toppings.
Get the Air Fryer Salmon recipe.
Connecticut-Style Lobster Roll
This lobster roll is Connecticut style, rather than Maine-style like our lobster salad recipe. That means absolutely no mayo in sight, just melted butter and some chives for freshness. We think this version really lets the lobster take center stage so, crustacean lovers, this is the sandwich for you.
Get the Connecticut-Style Lobster Roll recipe.
Beer Battered Fish
Cod is awesome but other fishes that work great are other substantial, flakey white fishes like haddock, pike and pollock. Since you have already heated up some oil, throw in a batch of french fries to complete the meal.
Get the Beer Battered Fish recipe.
Air Fryer Fish
We love the classic fish and chip combo and normally turn to our favorite beer battered fish when the craving hits. But frying can be messy and sometimes we like to skip that part. This air fryer fish is the perfect substitute!
Get the Air Fryer Fish recipe.
Shrimp Stir Fry
We could eat this Chinese food-inspired stir fry every single night. Traditionally, stir fry would be made in a wok over high heat, but a cast iron skillet still works great here! We love that it's so simple to throw together yet full of so much flavor.
Get the Shrimp Stir Fry recipe.
Pineapple Baked Salmon
Giving the salmon a quick broil at the end of cooking lets the pineapple marinade caramelize. Make sure to keep a close eye on it—a couple minutes is all you need under a hot broiler. Looking for more salmon recipes? This Greek salmon is another foolproof, quick dinner.
Get the Baked Pineapple Salmon recipe.
Fried Fish Sandwich
We'll say it—fried fish sandwiches might just be better than fried chicken sandwiches. 😱 The contrast between the crunchy beer-batter and the flakey fish is a food marriage made in heaven.
Get the Fried Fish Sandwich recipe.
Garlicky Shrimp Zucchini Boats
When you're craving pasta, these zucchini boats are a great option. Sweet, juicy shrimp bathed in a creamy tomato-Parmesan sauce, then baked with mozzarella until the umami skyrockets—the filling tastes almost like an extra creamy shrimp scampi.
Get the Garlicky Shrimp Zucchini Boats recipe.
Cheesy Shrimp And Grits
There's a lot of richness going on here. Bacon! Butter! Cheese! To cut all the fat, you need some acid. Enter, freshly squeezed lemon juice. It'll brighten your bowl up BIG TIME. Hot tip: add lemon before salting to taste at the end.
Get the Cheesy Shrimp And Grits recipe.
Greek Salmon Burger
Okay, so pureeing a salmon fillet with egg isn’t the sexiest process, but it’s key in helping these patties hold together. You'll be so glad you did when you're eating this light, flavorful salmon burger sandwiched in fluffy pita.
Get the Greek-Inspired Salmon Burgers recipe.
Coconut Curry Salmon
The coconut milk and spice go so well together here, making a rich, but not heavy, sauce that really tastes and feels far more complicated than it is. Spoon the sauce over the salmon a few times as it cooks to give it a nice coating.
Get the Coconut Curry Salmon recipe.
Greek Salmon
Think of this meal like a side AND main, all in one. Greek salad + salmon = a match made in heaven.
Get the Greek Salmon recipe.
Baked Salmon
This healthy baked salmon is the best way to feed a crowd. There's no skillet cooking at all—everything is oven-baked in foil, making prep and cleanup a breeze. We believe it might just be the best baked salmon recipe...ever.
Get the Baked Salmon recipe.
Pan-Fried Tilapia
In order to bring some texture back to this skinless fish, we give it a light dredge in flour—the resulting golden crunchy coating is EVERYTHING. Feel free to mix up the spices—smoked paprika, dried oregano, or even spice blends like Old Bay all would go swimmingly (har har) with this fish.
Get the Pan-Fried Tilapia recipe.
Jalapeño Citrus Salmon
This citrus salmon has tons of flavor from simple ingredients. Here we used oranges and limes, but use lemons, grapefruits, and blood oranges if you have them. As the salmon bakes the juices start to turn into a syrupy sauce thanks to the honey and creates a perfect glaze over the salmon.
Get the Jalapeño Citrus Salmon recipe.
Baked Scallops
Buttery, crispy, garlicky. What could be better? These scallops make for the easiest weeknight dinner and are ready in about 30 minutes. They're great for a last minute dinner option, but also plenty good enough to serve at a dinner party. That’s the kind of balance we love.
Get the Baked Scallops recipe.
Lobster Bisque
Usually, lobster bisque is made with a stock of lobster shells. Our version is much more streamlined (see: easier and less expensive) and truly just as rich and delicious. The result is a velvety smooth, decadent bisque with big chunks of lobster in every bite.
Get the Lobster Bisque recipe.
Shrimp Po’ Boy
If you've never had an iconic Louisiana po' boy, this fried shrimp version is a great place to start. Dressed with crunchy shredded iceburg, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy and briny remoulade sauce, this imposing sandwich will take you to the fern and Spanish moss-lined streets of NOLA in seconds flat.
Get the Shrimp Po’ Boy recipe.
Garlicky Lemon Mahi Mahi
This easy mahi-mahi recipe comes together in 30 minutes or less. After searing the fish for a few minutes per side, make a super simple lemon butter sauce with garlicky. We like to sauté some asparagus too, but use whatever vegetable you like.
Get the Garlicky Lemon Mahi Mahi recipe.
Creamed Spinach Stuffed Salmon
Creamed spinach is surprisingly great tucked into salmon fillets. If you're skeptical about the combination of cheese and seafood, don't be. We promise you, it's AMAZING.
Get the Creamed Spinach Stuffed Salmon recipe.
Shrimp Alfredo
Fettuccine Alfredo is one of life's greatest comfort foods. It's creamy, cheesy, carb-y, and super adaptable. We especially love this version because the shrimp adds lots of extra flavor and some lean protein to boot!
Get the Shrimp Alfredo recipe.
Honey Walnut Shrimp
Our crispy-coated, copycat version of this slightly sweet dish more closely represents the Panda Express takeout version than the traditional. The sugared walnuts are our favorite part and make the dish so special.
Get the Honey Walnut Shrimp recipe.
Seafood Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a wildly popular dish that originated in New Orleans and was inspired by flavors from around the world—Spanish, West African, and French to name a few. It's spicy, hearty, and incredibly flavorful. And as with most things, the better ingredients, the better the end result will taste.
Get the Cajun Jambalaya recipe.
Tuscan Butter Salmon
The tomato-and-basil cream sauce with a healthy dose of Parmesan here hits all the right flavor notes: rich and decadent, slightly sweet, and with a punch of umami. If we’re honest, this just might be our favorite take on Tuscan butter yet!
Get the Tuscan Butter Salmon recipe.
Creamy Coconut Lime Salmon
This creamy skillet salmon is rich without being too decadent. The combo of fresh ginger, lime juice, and basil brightens everything up. Trust us, you're going to LOVE the coconut milk sauce.
Get the Creamy Coconut Lime Salmon recipe.
Shrimp Ceviche
If you’re a bit hesitant about the whole raw seafood thing, don’t be! We’ve provided two different ways to prepare the shrimp—poaching and the traditional method of solely curing it in citrus—so you can pick the preparation that’s most comfortable for you.
Get the Shrimp Ceviche recipe.
Blackened Salmon Tacos
If you don't have Cajun spice, you can make your own! Just stir together some salt, pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried oregano before rubbing it on the salmon.
Get the Blackened Salmon Tacos recipe.
Shrimp Scampi Flatbread
Use store-bought flatbread to quickly throw together this take on shrimp scampi that doubles as an easy weeknight dinner and an amazing party app.
Get the Shrimp Scampi Flatbread recipe.
Perfect Broiled Salmon
Salmon only takes around 8 minutes to broil, meaning this can be on your dinner table in no time. Just top the salmon with the herby garlic and grainy mustard sauce, and pop under the heat!
Get the Perfect Broiled Salmon recipe.
Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Sriracha Slaw
There are no extraneous ingredients here—once you grab shrimp, you've probably got almost everything to make these tacos already! We left the tails on the shrimp for grilling, but feel free to take them off.
Get the Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Sriracha Slaw recipe.
Shrimp Fried Rice
Traditionally cooked in a wok over high heat, Chinese fried rice is perhaps the *most* genius recipe for using up leftover rice. Keep the shrimp tails on for extra flavor, or don't—it's totally up to you.
Get the Shrimp Fried Rice recipe.
Cilantro Lime Grilled Salmon
This sauce is a great jumping off point. Feel free to change up the ingredients for countless delicious sauces: Try swapping in shallots for garlic, lemon for lime juice, or brown sugar for honey. The herbs are also adaptable: basil, parsley, and tarragon would all be great swaps for cilantro. You could even add a splash of white wine if you're feeling fancy!
Get the Cilantro Lime Grilled Salmon recipe.
Shrimp Creole
Similar to shrimp étouffée, but with a tomato-based sauce, this saucy dish will transport you to the balcony-lined streets of New Orleans. For the shrimp, we prefer tail-on for more flavor but completely shelled shrimp will make for an easier eating experience—the choice is yours!
Get the Shrimp Creole recipe.
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