Looking to upgrade your pasta night with something irresistibly rich, garlicky, and bursting with flavor? This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake is a comforting twist on a classic favorite—featuring buttery shrimp, lemony cream sauce, and a gooey layer of golden cheese. It’s the kind of baked pasta that brings elegance and coziness to your table in every bite.
Whether it’s a special dinner, a cozy Sunday meal, or an impressive make-ahead dish for guests, this recipe is always a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake
🧄 Bold Garlic Flavor: Classic shrimp scampi taste in casserole form
🧀 Golden Cheesy Top: Parmesan and mozzarella make a perfect bubbly crust
🍤 Juicy Shrimp: Sautéed and nestled right into the pasta
🍋 Bright & Creamy: Lemon zest and cream keep it fresh and indulgent
🥗 Versatile & Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep ahead and bake when ready
Time Needed
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake
1️⃣ Preheat Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Boil pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
3️⃣ Sauté Garlic & Shrimp
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute. Add shrimp and cook for 3–4 minutes until pink. Remove and set aside.
4️⃣ Deglaze & Build Sauce
Pour in white wine or broth to deglaze the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes, scraping the pan. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and heavy cream. Simmer gently.
5️⃣ Combine Pasta & Sauce
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6️⃣ Assemble & Bake
Transfer pasta to a large baking dish. Top with cooked shrimp. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan and mozzarella.
7️⃣ Bake & Garnish
Bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
Variations
- 🐔 Swap the Protein: Try scallops, diced chicken, or even tofu
- 🥦 Add Veggies: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers
- 🍝 Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta
- 🧀 Different Cheese: Swap mozzarella for Gruyère or fontina
- 🌶 Add a Kick: More red pepper flakes or a pinch of Cajun seasoning
- 🍷 No Wine? Use chicken broth with an extra splash of lemon juice
Final Thoughts
This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake is a luxurious, cheesy upgrade to a seafood favorite. It’s creamy, bright, satisfying, and made for sharing. From date nights to dinner parties to weeknight indulgence—it’s a dish that feels a little fancy, without any fuss. 🍤🧄🍋
#ShrimpScampi #PastaBake #CheesySeafood #ComfortFoodRecipes #DinnerPartyIdeas #WeeknightDinnerMagic
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Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake (Creamy, Cheesy & Elegant Comfort Food)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake is creamy, garlicky, cheesy, and downright comforting. It’s an elegant twist on a classic, loaded with buttery shrimp, lemon cream sauce, and a golden cheese topping that brings pasta night to the next level.
Ingredients
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil pasta until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute. Add shrimp and cook for 3–4 minutes until pink. Remove and set aside.
- Pour in white wine or broth to deglaze the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes, scraping the pan. Stir in lemon juice, zest, and heavy cream. Simmer gently.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer pasta to a large baking dish. Top with cooked shrimp. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan and mozzarella.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap tightly and store for up to 3 months. Add veggies like spinach or mushrooms for a twist, or swap proteins for chicken or scallops. Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
Keywords: Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake, Cheesy Seafood, Comfort Food, Weeknight Dinner, Pasta Casserole