If you are craving a seafood pasta dish that combines buttery richness with cheesy comfort, this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe is sure to become your new favorite. Imagine tender linguine tangled with succulent shrimp, bathed in a garlic-infused creamy lemon sauce, and topped with bubbling layers of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This dish effortlessly blends classic shrimp scampi flavors with the hands-off ease of a pasta bake, creating a crowd-pleasing meal that’s perfect for weeknights or special gatherings alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe lies in its deceptively simple ingredients. Each one plays a distinct role in balancing flavors, textures, and colors, ensuring every bite is layered with deliciousness.
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti: Choose your favorite pasta to hold the creamy sauce perfectly without becoming soggy.
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined): The star protein delivering that sweet, briny flavor everyone loves.
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps mellow out the garlic’s sharpness.
- 4 cloves garlic (minced): Infuses the dish with its signature aromatic punch.
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes: Just the right hint of heat to awaken your taste buds.
- 1/2 tsp chicken broth: Lifting savory undertones and adding depth to the sauce.
- 1 lemon (juiced and zested): Brightens the dish with fresh citrus notes that perfectly complement the shrimp.
- 1 cup heavy cream: Creates a luxuriously smooth and creamy sauce base.
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Sharpness and a nutty finish layered into every bite.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully to form a gooey, golden crust.
- Salt and pepper (to taste): Enhances and balances all the flavors perfectly.
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped): Adds vibrant green color and a fresh herbal note to finish.
- Optional additions: Mushrooms or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor, spinach or kale for a nutrient boost, crushed red pepper flakes if you want a spicier kick.
How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C). Preheating is essential as it ensures that your pasta bake cooks evenly and develops that irresistible golden, bubbly top that we all love.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. The salt seasons the pasta from the inside out. Add your linguine or spaghetti and cook until al dente — meaning tender but still firm to the bite — following the package directions. Drain the pasta and let it cool slightly as you prepare your sauce and shrimp.
Step 3: Sauté Shrimp and Garlic
In a spacious skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Toss in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, letting them sautée for about a minute until your kitchen fills with that fragrant, savory smell. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque, roughly 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the shrimp and set them aside, but don’t clean the skillet just yet!
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth to the same skillet and let it simmer for about two minutes, scraping up all the flavorful bits left behind from cooking the shrimp. Stir in the lemon zest and juice, then add the heavy cream. Bring everything to a gentle simmer while stirring constantly so the sauce thickens and becomes silky smooth — the perfect hug for the pasta.
Step 5: Toss Pasta in Sauce
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat every strand in that luscious sauce. Season with salt and pepper, tailoring the seasoning to your preference and ensuring a well-rounded flavor profile for this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe.
Step 6: Assemble the Bake
Transfer your creamy pasta into a large baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Neatly arrange the cooked shrimp on top to create an appealing presentation that will impress your guests before they even take a bite.
Step 7: Add the Cheese and Bake
Generously sprinkle the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella over the pasta and shrimp, ensuring coverage that will melt into a golden, bubbly crust. Place the dish in your preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is beautifully melted and lightly browned.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Once your baking masterpiece emerges from the oven, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top for color and a refreshing burst of flavor. Serve this scrumptious Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe at once while everything is warm and gooey, and watch it disappear!
How to Serve Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs such as parsley or basil work wonders in brightening up the dish visually and taste-wise. A light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or an extra squeeze of lemon juice just before serving elevates those vibrant citrus notes and ties the whole dish together beautifully.
Side Dishes
Opt for a crisp green salad tossed with a tangy vinaigrette to balance out the creamy richness of the pasta bake. Garlic bread or a rustic crusty baguette makes a wonderful companion, perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, serve the shrimp scampi pasta bake in individual ramekins or mini cast iron skillets for crowd-pleasing single servings. Alternatively, garnish with edible flowers or colorful diced cherry tomatoes to add pizzazz and freshness to your table setup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld together beautifully by the next day, making for an even tastier meal reheated.
Freezing
Although shrimp can sometimes become rubbery when frozen and reheated, this dish freezes well if you avoid adding cheese on top before freezing. Freeze the pasta bake mixture in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, and add fresh cheese toppings before baking after thawing.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or in the microwave on medium power, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. You may want to add a splash of cream or broth to refresh the sauce’s creaminess.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta in this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe?
Absolutely! While linguine or spaghetti work best for their texture and sauce-holding ability, penne, rigatoni, or fusilli are great alternatives to mix things up while still delivering fantastic flavor.
Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! Swap out traditional pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta variety. Just be sure to cook it according to package instructions as gluten-free pasta can have a different texture and cooking time.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time and bake it later?
You can assemble the dish up to step 6 and refrigerate it covered for up to 24 hours before baking. This is perfect for busy days when you want to prep in advance and simply pop it into the oven when ready.
How spicy is the Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe?
The recipe includes red pepper flakes for a gentle kick, but you can easily adjust or omit them based on your heat preference. Adding crushed red pepper flakes will ramp up the spice if you love a bolder flavor.
What’s the best way to devein shrimp?
Use a small paring knife or your fingers to remove the dark vein along the shrimp’s back. This step improves texture and taste, ensuring your shrimp are clean, fresh, and ready for cooking.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough giving this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe a try—it combines all the best things about shrimp scampi and cheesy pasta bakes into one comforting, delicious dish your whole family will adore. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or entertaining friends, it’s a guaranteed hit that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Grab those ingredients and get ready to dive into a plate of irresistible flavor!
Print
Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake combines tender linguine with succulent shrimp in a creamy garlic butter sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a rich, comforting casserole. This easy-to-make baked pasta dish delivers a perfect balance of lemony brightness, a hint of spice from red pepper flakes, and cheesy indulgence, ideal for family dinners or entertaining.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti (or your favorite pasta)
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp chicken broth
- 1 lemon (juiced and zested)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Cheese and Garnish
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
Optional Additions
- Mushrooms or cherry tomatoes – for extra depth of flavor
- Spinach or kale – for a nutrient boost
- Crushed red pepper flakes – for a spicy kick
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your pasta bake will cook evenly, resulting in an appealing golden top.
- Cook Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, add a generous amount of salt, and bring to a boil. Add linguine or spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta carefully and set aside to cool slightly.
- Sauté Shrimp and Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about one minute until fragrant. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp and cook 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Using the same skillet, pour in the chicken broth and simmer for about two minutes to deglaze and capture the flavorful bits. Stir in lemon juice and zest, then add the heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer while stirring frequently to create a smooth, creamy texture.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the creamy sauce, gently tossing to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper to your taste to ensure balanced flavors.
- Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the coated pasta into a large baking dish, spreading it evenly. Arrange the sautéed shrimp on top for an attractive presentation.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and has developed a golden crust.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from oven carefully and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake.
Notes
- For added veggies and nutrition, incorporate mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, spinach, or kale when combining pasta and sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- Ensure shrimp is cooked just until pink to avoid rubbery texture.
- This dish can be prepared ahead by assembling and refrigerating; bake before serving, adding a few extra minutes if starting cold.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and quality mozzarella for best melting and flavor.
