Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake (Printable)

Creamy pasta bake with shrimp in lemon garlic butter sauce topped with golden melted cheese.

# What You’ll 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

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking dish.
02 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and shallot, sauté until fragrant for 1-2 minutes.
04 - Stir in shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 2-3 minutes until just pink.
05 - Add white wine, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 2 minutes.
06 - Add lemon juice and zest, stir in cream. Simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
07 - Combine cooked pasta with shrimp sauce and 2/3 of the parmesan. Toss to coat evenly.
08 - Transfer to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and remaining parmesan on top.
09 - Bake 15-18 minutes until top is golden and bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
10 - Garnish with extra parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cream sauce hugs every pasta strand while the shrimp stay tender and juicy
  • That golden parmesan crust creates the most incredible texture contrast against the silky pasta underneath
  • You can assemble it hours before baking, which makes entertaining feel almost effortless
02 -
  • Undercooking the pasta initially is crucial because those noodles will soak up sauce and finish cooking in the oven
  • The shrimp will continue cooking in the oven too, so pull them from the skillet the second they turn pink
  • Lemon zest carries the essential oils where all the bright flavor lives, so dont skip that step
03 -
  • Room temperature cream incorporates more smoothly and is less likely to separate in the sauce
  • Grate your parmesan fresh from a wedge because pre grated cheese has anti caking agents that prevent proper melting

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