Name: Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 ounces; 1 ½ pounds; 4 tablespoons; 3 tablespoons; 4 cloves; ½ teaspoon; 1; ½ cup; ½ teaspoon; ¼ teaspoon; 1/4 cup; 1 cup; 1 cup

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If you love the irresistible flavor of classic shrimp scampi but crave the cozy warmth of a bubbling baked pasta, this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to. Imagine juicy shrimp nestled in perfectly al dente noodles, swirled with vibrant garlic-lemon sauce, and blanketed under bubbling layers of mozzarella and Parmesan. This dish turns a beloved restaurant staple into a soul-satisfying oven-baked meal, perfect for lazy weekends, celebrating special moments, or just treating yourself to something extraordinary any night of the week.

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

All you need are a handful of staples to create a dish that’s packed with comfort and elegance! Each ingredient, from the shrimp to the cheeses, plays a starring role in bringing this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe to life—expect bold flavors, creamy textures, and a hint of tang from that fresh lemon.

Linguine or Spaghetti (12 ounces): Either pasta holds the saucy, cheesy bake together, creating the perfect base.
Large Shrimp (1 ½ pounds, peeled and deveined): Look for big, juicy shrimp for maximum flavor and unbeatable tenderness.
Unsalted Butter (4 tablespoons): Melted butter is the flavor backbone, delivering a rich, silky sauce.
Olive Oil (3 tablespoons): Blended with butter, olive oil adds depth and balances richness with a fruity edge.
Garlic (4 cloves, minced): The heart and soul of scampi, garlic brings a punchy aroma and classic bite.
Red Pepper Flakes (½ teaspoon, optional): Add these if you’re after a gentle, warming kick.
Lemon (juice and zest of 1): Fresh lemon brightens every bite with tang and a sunny perfume.
Dry White Wine or Chicken Broth (½ cup): Wine delivers elegance and acidity, but broth works beautifully for a family-friendly twist.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Essential for seasoning every element to perfection.
Black Pepper (¼ teaspoon): A subtle, savory background warmth completes the flavor profile.
Fresh Parsley (¼ cup, chopped): Adds a bright, herbaceous finishing touch.
Parmesan Cheese (1 cup, grated): For irresistible salty, nutty flavor in every cheesy stretch.
Mozzarella Cheese (1 cup, shredded): Melts like a dream, giving you that bubbly, golden finish on top.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Toss in your linguine or spaghetti, and cook just until al dente—the pasta will soak up more flavor from the sauce in the oven. Drain it well and set aside. You can drizzle the noodles with a splash of olive oil if you’re worried about them sticking together, but they’ll be tossed in sauce soon!

Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp and Aromatics

Place a large skillet on medium heat and melt the butter with the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if you like a little heat), stirring for about a minute until the kitchen smells incredible and the garlic is fragrant but not browned.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

Add the shrimp to your sizzling skillet. Sauté for two to three minutes, just until they start turning pink and lose their translucency. You don’t want to cook them all the way through, as they’ll finish in the oven and stay perfectly juicy.

Step 4: Build the Scampi Sauce

Stir in the lemon juice, fresh zest, and your white wine or chicken broth. Season with salt and black pepper. Let everything bubble together for two more minutes—the sauce should become slightly more luscious and aromatic, capturing all those essential scampi notes.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Take the pan off the heat, then add your pre-cooked pasta and chopped parsley. Toss everything thoroughly so each noodle glistens with sauce and those plump shrimp are evenly distributed throughout.

Step 6: Assemble and Bake

Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or a thin coat of olive oil. Pour the shrimp-pasta mixture in, leveling the top. Shower your Parmesan and mozzarella evenly over everything. Slide the dish into your preheated 375°F oven and bake, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes—that cheesy topping will melt and bubble to golden perfection.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once your Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe is gloriously golden and bubbling, let it rest for about five minutes after coming out of the oven. This helps the flavors meld together and makes serving easier. Now you’re ready to dive in and enjoy every gooey, lemony, garlicky bite!

How to Serve Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe

Garnishes

For a finishing flourish, scatter a handful of extra chopped fresh parsley across the top right before serving. A few generous twists of freshly ground black pepper and even a little extra lemon zest will make your Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe look as vibrant as it tastes. You could even add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for an extra pop of color and mild heat.

Side Dishes

Garlicky breadsticks or a rustic loaf of crusty bread are perfect for scooping up all that luscious sauce. Complement with a simple green salad tossed in a lemony vinaigrette to keep things fresh and bright against the rich pasta. If you’re feeling a little extra, lightly roasted asparagus or broccoli makes a fabulous, veggie-forward pairing.

Creative Ways to Present

You can portion the Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe into individual ceramic ramekins or oven-safe bowls before baking for a restaurant-style touch—each person gets their own gooey, bubbly serving. Or, layer the bake in a cast iron skillet for rustic charm and maximum crispy cheese along the edges. For gatherings, serve buffet-style with a big sprig of fresh parsley in the center for a celebratory look!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers (lucky you!), transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate. Stored properly, this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe keeps well for up to 3 days, and the flavors only get cozier overnight.

Freezing

For longer storage, let the bake cool completely before wrapping portions tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, or use a freezer-safe container. You can freeze the Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe for up to two months. Label everything so it’s easy to spot that delicious meal later on.

Reheating

To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through and bubbly. You can also microwave individual servings, though the oven method keeps the texture and cheese at their very best.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this bake?

Absolutely! Just make sure the shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry before adding them to the skillet. This helps keep them tender and prevents the sauce from becoming watery.

What can I substitute for white wine?

If you prefer not to cook with wine, low-sodium chicken broth works beautifully and makes this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe totally family friendly without losing that touch of tang and depth.

Is there a gluten-free option?

Yes, simply swap out the regular pasta with your favorite gluten-free variety. The rest of the recipe stays the same and turns out just as delicious!

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Definitely! Sliced cherry tomatoes, spinach, or diced asparagus are all wonderful additions. Stir them in with the shrimp or pasta for extra color and nutrition.

How do I prevent overcooking the shrimp?

The key is to only partially cook them in the skillet, just until they start turning pink. They’ll finish cooking as the bake bubbles in the oven, staying juicy and tender instead of rubbery.

Final Thoughts

This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe is everything I love about comfort food—it’s bold, creamy, and a little bit fancy, yet easy enough for any night of the week. If you love cheesy seafood pasta with a pop of lemon and garlic, you owe it to yourself (and your friends and family) to give this dish a try. Happy baking, and enjoy every gooey forkful!

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the deliciousness of this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake! A flavorful combination of tender shrimp, tangy lemon, and gooey melted cheese, all baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Linguine or Spaghetti:

12 ounces

Large Shrimp (peeled and deveined):

1 ½ pounds

Unsalted Butter:

4 tablespoons

Olive Oil:

3 tablespoons

Garlic (minced):

4 cloves

Red Pepper Flakes (optional):

½ teaspoon

Lemon (juice and zest):

Dry White Wine or Chicken Broth:

½ cup

Salt:

½ teaspoon

Black Pepper:

¼ teaspoon

Fresh Parsley (chopped):

1/4 cup

Grated Parmesan Cheese:

1 cup

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese:

1 cup

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the pasta: until al dente, then drain and set aside.
Melt butter and oil: in a skillet, add garlic and red pepper flakes, cook briefly.
Cook shrimp: until pink, add lemon juice, zest, wine, salt, and pepper.
Combine: shrimp mixture with cooked pasta and parsley.
Transfer to baking dish: top with cheeses.
Bake: uncovered for 15–20 minutes until bubbly.
Rest: for 5 minutes before serving.