Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe

Introduction

Savor the rich flavors of this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake, a comforting dish that combines tender shrimp with a creamy, garlicky sauce baked to perfection. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s an ideal meal for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

• 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
• 1 lemon (juiced and zested)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
5. Step 5: Pour the white wine or chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Step 6: Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
7. Step 7: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Step 8: Transfer the pasta to a large baking dish, spreading it evenly. Arrange the cooked shrimp on top.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella over the pasta and shrimp.
10. Step 10: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Step 11: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute the white wine with extra chicken broth if you prefer a non-alcoholic option without losing flavor.
• For a bit more heat, add a pinch more red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Try swapping mozzarella for fontina or provolone for a different cheesy twist.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to maintain creaminess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Yes, just make sure to fully thaw and pat them dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture in the dish.

Is it okay to skip the baking step?

You can serve the pasta immediately after tossing it with the sauce and shrimp, but baking melts the cheese and enhances the flavors, creating a deliciously bubbly finish.

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 83 reviews

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake is a delicious, creamy, and cheesy seafood pasta casserole that combines tender shrimp sauteed in garlic butter with linguine tossed in a lemony white wine cream sauce, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, then baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for a comforting family dinner ready in just 35 minutes.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 oz linguine or spaghetti

Shrimp and Sauce

• 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
• 1 lemon (juiced and zested)
• 1 cup heavy cream

Cheese and Garnish

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to have it ready for baking the assembled pasta.
2. Cook Pasta: Prepare the linguine or spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Cook Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
5. Prepare Sauce: Pour white wine or chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly and develop flavor.
6. Combine Flavors: Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer to thicken slightly.
7. Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the noodles in the creamy lemon sauce. Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
8. Assemble Dish: Transfer the sauced pasta into a large baking dish, spreading it evenly. Arrange the cooked shrimp on top of the pasta in a single layer.
9. Add Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella evenly over the pasta and shrimp to create a cheesy crust when baked.
10. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese has melted, turned bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
11. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for freshness and color, then serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• For a non-alcoholic version, substitute white wine with chicken broth or vegetable broth.
• Do not overcook the shrimp during the skillet step to avoid rubbery texture since they will also bake in the oven.
• You can use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese gives better flavor than pre-grated.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake, creamy shrimp pasta casserole, baked shrimp pasta, cheesy scampi bake, lemon garlic shrimp pasta