Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake (Print View)

Oven-baked pasta with succulent shrimp in zesty lemon-garlic cream sauce and cheesy golden crust.

# What You Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz penne or ziti pasta

→ 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 with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add garlic and shallot; sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
04 - Add shrimp to skillet; season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook 2-3 minutes until just pink. Do not overcook.
05 - Pour in white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes.
06 - Add lemon juice and zest, then stir in heavy cream. Simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.
07 - Toss cooked pasta with shrimp sauce and 2/3 of the parmesan cheese until evenly coated.
08 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese and remaining parmesan.
09 - Bake for 15-18 minutes until top is golden and sauce is bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
10 - Garnish with extra parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The sauce gets infused into every pasta crevice while baking, so each bite is perfectly coated
  • That golden parmesan crust creates this incredible contrast against the tender shrimp
  • You can assemble it ahead and bake when guests arrive, making it look effortless
02 -
  • Undercook the pasta by at least 2 minutes, or it'll turn mushy in the oven
  • Dont overcook the shrimp in the skillet—they'll finish in the oven and rubbery shrimp ruins everything
  • The sauce will look thin before baking, but it thickens perfectly in the oven
03 -
  • Room temperature shrimp cook more evenly, so let them sit out while you prep everything else
  • Grate your parmesan fresh—it melts into the sauce instead of staying in separate strings

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