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
Scale
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