We investigated the sensory and quality characteristics of gambas al ajillo retort foods with nondigestible maltodextrin (trial gambas) compared with commercially available frozen gambas al ajillo (control). Trial gambas demonstrated approximate compositions of 75.8% moisture, 11.3% protein, 5.8% lipid, 1.7% ash, and 5.4% carbohydrates, indicating lower lipid and carbohydrate contents but higher moisture, protein, and ash levels than that of the control. Sensory assessments conclusively established the superior overall acceptability of trial gambas over the control. Trial gambas exhibited a total amino acid content of 9.62 g/ 100 g, surpassing the 5.39 g of the control. The major amino acids, such as lysine, leucine, arginine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid, contributed significantly to its enhanced nutritional profile. Mineral analysis revealed higher calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron levels in trial gambas and lower potassium levels than that in the control. Fatty acid profiling identified 18:1n-9 (67.8%) and 16:0 (11.9%) as the predominant fatty acids, in concordance with the control. This study substantiates trial gambas with the health-oriented preferences of the MZ generation while presenting superior sensory and quality attributes compared with the control.