Description
Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful Italian-American dish featuring linguine tossed in a garlic butter lemon cream sauce with succulent shrimp, baked to golden perfection under a layer of melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. It’s a delightful twist on classic shrimp scampi, ideal for easy weeknight dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz (340 g) linguine or spaghetti
Shrimp and Aromatics
- 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Liquids and Sauce
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 cup heavy cream
Cheeses
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Seasoning and Garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a large baking dish to prepare for baking the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine or spaghetti until al dente as per package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet and sauté until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the cooked shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in the white wine or chicken broth to the skillet to deglaze it. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan and let the liquid simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Prepare Sauce: Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream into the skillet. Continue to simmer the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Pasta & Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss it well to coat with the creamy lemon garlic sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Assemble Bake: Transfer the sauced pasta into the prepared baking dish. Arrange the cooked shrimp evenly over the top. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses evenly over the shrimp and pasta.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- You can substitute white wine with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic option.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to avoid rubbery texture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or cherry tomatoes for added color and nutrition.
