Description
Mediterranean-inspired Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake brings zesty garlic notes and succulent seafood together in one comforting casserole. Cheesy, herb-infused layers promise a delightful dinner that satisfies with bold flavors and creamy textures you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Starches:
- 0.5 ounces (14 grams) linguine or spaghetti
Dairy and Cheese:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquid:
- 0.5 cup white wine (or chicken broth for non-alcoholic option)
Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare a baking dish and set oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) for optimal cooking environment.
- Cook linguine in generously salted water until perfectly al dente, ensuring pasta retains slight firmness when bitten.
- Heat butter in a spacious skillet, releasing aromatic garlic and fiery red pepper flakes until fragrance intensifies.
- Introduce shrimp to the skillet, searing until they transform into vibrant pink gems with opaque centers.
- Carefully extract shrimp from pan, reserving delicate morsels for later incorporation.
- Deglaze the skillet using white wine, gently scraping caramelized remnants to build depth of flavor.
- Create a luxurious sauce by introducing lemon juice, bright zest, and velvety heavy cream, allowing ingredients to harmonize.
- Envelop cooked pasta with the silky sauce, ensuring each strand becomes perfectly coated.
- Transfer the sauced pasta into a prepared baking dish, creating an even landscape for subsequent layers.
- Strategically arrange seared shrimp across the pasta surface for visual and flavor appeal.
- Generously shower the dish with Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, creating a molten protective blanket.
- Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven, allowing cheese to transform into golden, bubbling perfection.
- After 15-20 minutes, retrieve the baked masterpiece and crown with freshly chopped parsley for a final flourish of color and freshness.
- Serve immediately while cheese remains gloriously melted and flavors are at their peak.
Notes
- Select medium-sized shrimp for consistent cooking and optimal texture, ensuring they remain tender and juicy during baking.
- Replace heavy cream with light coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lighter, lower-calorie alternative that maintains creamy consistency.
- Toast breadcrumbs with herbs and sprinkle on top before baking to add delightful crunch and extra flavor dimension to the dish.
- Swap white wine with chicken broth or vegetable stock if avoiding alcohol, maintaining the sauce’s depth and complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 605
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg