Description
Enjoy a comforting Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake, featuring tender shrimp in a creamy garlic and white wine sauce, combined with pasta and topped with a blend of cheeses. This dish is perfect for family gatherings and promises to delight with its rich flavors and cheesy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces pasta (linguine or spaghetti)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes).
- Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add shrimp, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque.
- Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, pour in white wine and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes to evaporate alcohol.
- Stir in lemon zest and juice, then add heavy cream. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return shrimp to the skillet and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and shrimp are coated.
- If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with shrimp and sauce mixture.
- Add chopped parsley and mix until pasta is evenly coated. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a large baking dish with remaining 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil.
- Pour pasta and shrimp mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, followed by additional Parmesan cheese.
- For a crunchy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the cheese layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- If browning too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes to set.
- Garnish with additional chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
- Feel free to substitute the pasta type based on your preference.
- For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes