Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe
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
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
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to have it ready for baking the assembled pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the linguine or spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Combine Flavors: Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer to thicken slightly.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella evenly over the pasta and shrimp to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- 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.
- 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