Description
This Garlic Shrimp Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish combining al dente pasta, succulent shrimp, and a creamy garlic sauce baked to golden perfection. Ideal for a family dinner, it features a rich Parmesan and mozzarella cheese blend with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, garnished with fresh parsley for brightness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Shrimp
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dish.
- Cook pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Cook shrimp: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add shrimp, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 2–3 minutes until shrimp turn pink. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in milk and cream until the mixture is smooth. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add cheese and seasoning: Stir in Parmesan cheese, half of the mozzarella, salt, and black pepper until cheese is melted and sauce is well combined.
- Combine pasta and shrimp with sauce: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet, gently stirring to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Prepare to bake: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired, and serve hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken for shrimp or add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and variety.
- For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with all milk to reduce fat content.
