Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake (Printable)

Baked penne with shrimp in creamy lemon-garlic sauce and golden parmesan topping.

# 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 Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large baking dish.
02 - Cook the pasta in salted boiling water 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil. Add garlic and shallot, sauté until fragrant (1-2 minutes).
04 - Stir in shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 2-3 minutes until just pink—do not overcook.
05 - Deglaze with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer 2 minutes.
06 - Add lemon juice and zest, then stir in cream. Simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, stir in parsley.
07 - Combine the cooked pasta with shrimp sauce and 2/3 of the parmesan. Toss to coat evenly.
08 - Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and remaining parmesan on top.
09 - Bake 15-18 minutes until the 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 oven does most of the work while you pour yourself a glass of wine
  • That golden bubbling cheese topping makes everyone swoon before they even take a bite
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for tomorrow's lunch, if there are any
02 -
  • The pasta will continue absorbing sauce while baking, so don't worry if it looks a little loose going into the oven
  • Overcooked shrimp turns rubbery, so pull them the moment they turn pink and let the oven finish everything else
  • Letting the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking makes serving so much easier and cleaner
03 -
  • Toast some panko breadcrumbs with a little garlic butter and sprinkle over the cheese before baking for extra crunch
  • Grate your own parmesan from a wedge instead of using pre-grated cheese for better melting and flavor

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