Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Bake
This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake transforms the bright, garlicky flavors of classic scampi into a warm, cheesy casserole everyone will love. With the addition of cream and a generous layer of mozzarella, it becomes rich and comforting—somewhere between traditional scampi and a creamy Alfredo-style bake.
Pro Tip: Boil the pasta 1–2 minutes shy of the package instructions. Slightly undercooked noodles will finish perfectly in the oven while absorbing all that flavorful sauce.
Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Main Components
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pasta (penne, ziti, or fettuccine) | 12 oz |
| Large shrimp, peeled & deveined | 1 lb |
| Unsalted butter | 3 tbsp |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Garlic, minced | 4 cloves |
| Red pepper flakes | ½ tsp |
| Dry white wine (or chicken broth) | ½ cup |
| Fresh lemon juice | From 1 lemon |
| Salt | ½ tsp |
| Black pepper | ½ tsp |
| Italian seasoning | 1 tsp |
| Shredded mozzarella | 2 cups |
| Grated Parmesan | ½ cup |
| Fresh parsley, chopped | 2 tbsp |
Creamy Sauce Addition
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Heavy cream (or half-and-half) | 1 cup |
| Chicken broth | ½ cup |
| Garlic powder | ½ tsp |
| Ground nutmeg | ¼ tsp |
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta slightly under al dente (about 1–2 minutes less than directed). Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Shrimp
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from skillet and set aside to prevent overcooking.
Step 3: Build the Flavor Base
Using the same skillet, sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the wine (or broth) and lemon juice. Let simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce
Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
Step 5: Assemble & Bake
Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet, tossing until evenly coated in sauce. Transfer everything to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 6: Finish & Serve
Top with fresh parsley and serve immediately while hot and gooey.
