Homemade Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake is a luxurious, one-pan twist on a classic Italian favorite, featuring succulent, garlic-butter seared shrimp nestled in a bed of cheesy, oven-baked pasta. The dish is brought together by a rich, velvety white sauce that perfectly lacquers every noodle, while the golden-brown cheese topping provides a satisfying, savory crust. It is a vibrant, hearty centerpiece that balances the bright flavors of lemon and garlic with the deep comfort of a baked casserole, making it an ideal choice for both busy weeknights and elegant weekend dinners.

Why You’ll Love It

• Decadent One-Pan Magic: Enjoy all the flavors of traditional shrimp scampi with the added comfort of a cheesy, bubbly bake.
• Fast and Flavorful: This impressive meal comes together with minimal prep, delivering restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.
• Perfect Texture Play: Features a delightful contrast between the snap of juicy shrimp and the soft, cheese-laden pasta.
• Zesty and Bold: The classic combination of garlic, butter, and lemon ensures a bright, addictive finish that cuts through the rich cheese.
• Crowd-Pleasing Centerpiece: A sophisticated yet family-friendly dish that looks as beautiful as it tastes when served straight from the oven.

Ingredient Notes & Details

• Large Shrimp: Peeled and deveined; these should be seared briefly to maintain their juicy, tender texture during the bake.
• Short Pasta: Shapes like penne, fusilli, or rotini are ideal for catching and holding onto the rich garlic-butter sauce.
• Mozzarella & Parmesan: This duo provides a perfect balance of meltability and sharp, nutty flavor for the cheesy crust.
• Garlic & Butter: The aromatic foundation of the dish, creating the signature scampi flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice & Zest: Adds a necessary acidic pop to brighten the rich, creamy base.
• Fresh Parsley: A handful of chopped greens provides a vibrant pop of color and a fresh, herbal finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Success with this pasta bake starts with a quick par-boil of your pasta until just al dente. While the pasta cooks, briefly sear your seasoned shrimp in a large, oven-proof skillet with butter and plenty of minced garlic until they just turn pink. Remove the shrimp and set them aside to prevent overcooking.

In the same skillet, whisk together a light roux with flour, butter, and a splash of broth or cream to create a glossy, thick base. Stir the par-boiled pasta and seared shrimp back into the sauce, tossing until everything is thoroughly lacquered. Top the mixture generously with shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake in a preheated oven until the cheese is bubbling and has developed a beautiful golden-brown crust. Finish with a fresh squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of parsley before serving hot.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Sear them for only about 60-90 seconds per side; they will finish cooking to tender perfection in the oven.
• Al Dente is Key: Boil the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest so it maintains its bite after baking.
• Fresh Lemon is Best: Always use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled to achieve that signature bright, clean scampi flavor.
• Cold Butter Finish: For an extra-professional sheen on your sauce, whisk in a small pat of cold butter right before adding the pasta.
• Rest Before Serving: Let the bake sit for 5 minutes after removing it from the oven to allow the cheesy sauce to set perfectly.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain the succulent texture of the shrimp, reheat gently in the oven at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil, or in a skillet over medium-low heat with a tiny splash of water to loosen the sauce.

📖 Recipe

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Homemade Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake is a luxurious, one-pan twist on a classic Italian favorite, featuring succulent, garlic-butter seared shrimp nestled in a bed of cheesy, oven-baked pasta. The dish is brought together by a rich, velvety white sauce that perfectly lacquers every noodle, while the golden-brown cheese topping provides a satisfying, savory crust.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

Servings 5

Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
• 1 lb short pasta penne or fusilli
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• ½ cup chicken broth or dry white wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 lemon juiced and zested
• ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Pasta: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Shrimp: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large oven-safe skillet. Sear shrimp with a pinch of salt for 1–2 minutes until pink. Remove and set aside.
• Sauce: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute. Whisk in broth and heavy cream; simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Combine: Stir in lemon juice, zest, cooked pasta, and seared shrimp. Toss until well-coated in the sauce.
• Bake: Top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
• Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra lemon wedges. Serve immediately.