Description
This creamy and cheesy Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake is a comforting twist on the classic dish, featuring tender shrimp, pasta, garlic, lemon, and a rich cream sauce baked to perfection.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, ziti, or fettuccine work best)
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- ½ cup (125ml) dry white wine (or chicken broth)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup (250ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup (125ml) chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional, for extra depth)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook pasta 1–2 minutes less than package instructions (it will finish cooking in the oven). Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat.
4. Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
5. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Pour in white wine (or chicken broth) and lemon juice, scraping up any bits from the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
7. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
8. Add cooked pasta and shrimp back into the sauce, tossing everything to coat.
9. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
10. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
11. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot!
Notes
For best results, slightly undercook your pasta before baking so it doesn’t turn mushy. Feel free to swap out shrimp for chicken or use gluten-free pasta if needed.