Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake (Print Version)
Oven-baked pasta with succulent shrimp in lemony garlic cream sauce, topped with golden melted cheese.
# What You Need:
→ Seafood
01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz penne or ziti
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
05 - 1 lemon, zested and juiced
06 - 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
→ Sauce & Dairy
07 - 5 tbsp unsalted butter
08 - 1/4 cup olive oil
09 - 1/2 cup dry white wine
10 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
11 - 2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Seasonings
13 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta 2 minutes less than package directions for al dente texture. Drain thoroughly in a colander and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add minced garlic and chopped shallot, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
04 - Add shrimp to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking to prevent rubbery texture.
05 - Pour white wine into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer for 2 minutes to allow alcohol to evaporate and flavors to concentrate.
06 - Stir in lemon juice and zest. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and fold in fresh parsley.
07 - Transfer cooked pasta to the skillet with shrimp sauce. Add 2/3 of the grated parmesan. Toss thoroughly until pasta is evenly coated.
08 - Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and remaining parmesan evenly over the top.
09 - Bake for 15-18 minutes until cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbling around the edges.
10 - Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle. Garnish with additional fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- The oven creates this incredible contrast between creamy, saucy pasta and crispy, golden cheese topping that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
- Its actually easier than standing at the stove constantly stirring, plus you can get everything ready and pop it in the oven right before guests arrive
02 -
- Do not skip pulling the pasta early, it will absorb all that sauce and finish cooking in the oven, becoming perfectly tender instead of bloated and soft
- The sauce might look thin when you first combine it with pasta, but the oven will thicken it beautifully and the pasta will soak up the excess
03 -
- Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly into the sauce without any risk of separating or getting grainy
- Letting the baked dish rest for those five minutes seems pointless, but it helps the sauce set and makes serving much neater