Sizzling Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe Everyone Will Love
Seafood enthusiasts adore this mouth-watering shrimp scampi pasta bake that brings restaurant-quality comfort right to your dinner table.
Succulent shrimp nestled in a creamy, garlicky sauce creates an irresistible Mediterranean-inspired meal everyone will devour.
Tender pasta captures the rich, buttery flavors of classic scampi with a delightful baked twist.
The golden, crispy breadcrumb topping adds a satisfying crunch that elevates this dish from simple to spectacular.
Each forkful promises a perfect balance of herbs, garlic, and perfectly cooked shrimp that melts in your mouth.
This one-pan wonder comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or impressive weekend gatherings.
You won’t be able to resist seconds of this comforting, flavor-packed pasta bake that’s sure to become a family favorite.
FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp. Just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to prevent excess water in the dish.
Absolutely! If you don’t want to use wine, chicken or vegetable broth works perfectly as an alternative liquid.
Shrimp are done when they turn pink and curl into a “C” shape. Overcooking will make them tough and rubbery, so watch them carefully.
Simply reduce or omit the red pepper flakes if you prefer a milder flavor. The dish will still be delicious without the heat.
Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Reasons
Ingredients for Shrimp Pasta Bake
Main Ingredients:Dairy and Cream Components:Flavor Enhancers:Shrimp Pasta Bake Simple Steps
Step 1: Prepare the Pasta
Boil the pasta in salted water until it reaches al dente perfection.
Drain thoroughly and set aside, letting it rest while you craft the delicious sauce.
Step 2: Sizzle the Garlic
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Toss in minced garlic and sauté until it releases its aromatic magic and turns golden.
Step 3: Create the Flavor Base
Add to the skillet:Let the liquid simmer and reduce slightly.
Introduce the shrimp and season with:Cook until the shrimp transform into a beautiful pink color and curl slightly.
Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce
Stir in:Allow the sauce to bubble and thicken for a couple of minutes.
Gently fold in the cooked pasta and sprinkle half of the Parmesan cheese, coating everything evenly.
Step 5: Assemble the Bake
Transfer the shrimp and pasta mixture to a greased baking dish.
Generously top with:Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the dish into a preheated oven at 375°F.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden blanket.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top.
Serve piping hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement.
Pro Tips for Baked Shrimp Pasta
Recipe Twists for Shrimp Pasta Bake
Serving the Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake
Storing Baked Shrimp Pasta Properly
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Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Succulent shrimp scampi pasta bake delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors straight to dinner tables. Garlicky butter sauce and tender shrimp meld perfectly with al dente pasta, promising a luxurious meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Seafood:
- 1 pound (454 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta and Cheese:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or ziti)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F and prepare a baking dish with light grease.
- Cook pasta until al dente, drain thoroughly, and set aside for later assembly.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium temperature, releasing aromatic garlic until softened and fragrant.
- Introduce white wine or broth, allowing liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors for approximately 2 minutes.
- Add raw shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until shrimp transform into a delicate pink color and appear slightly curled.
- Pour heavy cream and fresh lemon juice into the skillet, creating a rich sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes to meld flavors and slightly thicken the mixture.
- Fold cooked pasta into the creamy shrimp sauce, incorporating half of the Parmesan cheese for additional depth.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to ensure consistent coverage.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and remaining Parmesan cheese across the top, creating a golden, melty crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until cheese becomes bubbly and develops a beautiful golden-brown color.
- Remove from oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately while hot and aromatic.
Notes
- Choose large, fresh shrimp for the best flavor and texture, ensuring they’re deveined and peeled before cooking.
- Avoid overcooking shrimp to prevent rubbery texture; they should turn pink and slightly curl within 2-3 minutes.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Keep extra white wine or chicken broth on hand to adjust sauce consistency if needed during cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 435 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 490 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
Natalie Brooks
Co-Founder & Content Strategist
Expertise
Education
eCornell
Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.