Description
Shrimp scampi pasta bake brings succulent seafood and zesty garlic together in one comforting casserole that’ll make your dinner table sing with Mediterranean flavors. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with herb-infused shrimp, this dish delivers restaurant-quality deliciousness straight from your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta and Dairy:
- 12 oz cavatappi, penne, or fettuccine pasta
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup white sauce (Alfredo or heavy cream-based sauce)
Seasonings and Extras:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (for a crispy topping)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Salt 4 quarts of water in a large pot and bring to a rolling boil at high heat. Cook 12 oz of cavatappi pasta precisely 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Pat 1 lb of shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes over your shrimp, ensuring even coating.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet at medium-high temperature. Carefully place seasoned shrimp into hot oil. Cook exactly 2 minutes per side until shrimp turn bright pink and curl slightly. Transfer shrimp to a separate plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, then add 4 minced garlic cloves. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until garlic becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Pour juice from 1 whole lemon and ½ cup white sauce into the skillet. Whisk ingredients together and simmer for precisely 2 minutes. Remove from heat immediately.
- Combine cooked pasta, sautéed shrimp, and garlic butter sauce in a large mixing bowl. Transfer entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella, ½ cup grated Parmesan, and ½ cup breadcrumbs evenly across the top of the pasta.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake pasta for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely and turns golden around edges. Garnish with 1 tablespoon chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Check shrimp for doneness by their color and texture, ensuring they turn pink and slightly curled without becoming rubbery.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor, and avoid burning it when sautéing to prevent bitterness.
- Choose medium or large shrimp for this dish, as they provide the best texture and won’t overcook as quickly as smaller varieties.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular pasta with gluten-free noodles and use gluten-free breadcrumbs on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-44 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg