Cheesy Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

tinsuf5 hours ago

0 2 minutes read

Cheesy Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

Golden, cheesy, and full of buttery garlic flavor, this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake brings restaurant-quality comfort to your kitchen. Juicy shrimp are tossed with lemon garlic butter and baked over a bed of pasta with a creamy cheese topping—easy enough for weeknights, impressive enough for guests.

If you love seafood dinners that are both hearty and elegant, check out more shrimp and pasta bakes on tinsuf.com — packed with flavor and simple to prepare.

Ingredients

For the Pasta & Shrimp:

1 lb pasta (rotini, cavatappi, penne, or your favorite)
1½ lbs large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
½ cup unsalted butter
ADVERTISEMENT
¼ cup olive oil
6–8 garlic cloves, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of ½ lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
ADVERTISEMENT
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

For the Cheese Topping:

1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar (optional)
ADVERTISEMENT
¼ cup heavy cream or half & half

Instructions

Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Sauté the Shrimp
In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add shrimp, lemon juice, zest, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Sauté until shrimp are pink and just cooked through (about 3–4 minutes). Remove from heat.
Combine & Assemble
In a large mixing bowl or baking dish, toss cooked pasta with the garlic butter sauce and half the shredded cheese. Add cream or half & half to loosen the mixture slightly.
Layer and Top
Spread the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer shrimp on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella, Parmesan, and optional cheddar.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bake
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Broil for the last 2 minutes for a golden top.
Garnish & Serve
Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Time & Serving

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6–8 servings
Calories: ~480 kcal per serving

Tips & Variations

Add a splash of white wine to the garlic butter for depth.
Use a blend of Italian cheeses for more richness.
ADVERTISEMENT
Swap shrimp for scallops or cooked lobster chunks for variety.
For a lighter version, skip the heavy cream and use more lemon juice.

Storage

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 1 month.
Reheat: Warm in oven at 350°F (175°C) or microwave until heated through.

Tools You’ll Need

Large skillet
Baking dish (9×13 inch)
Pasta pot
Mixing bowl
Grater & zester
Oven-safe broiler (optional)

Cheesy Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake