Nana’s Recipes

Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

When you need a comfort meal that feels like a night out at your favorite Italian trattoria without leaving your cozy kitchen, this cheesy garlic shrimp scampi pasta bake delivers every single time. It takes the bright, aromatic flavors of traditional garlic butter scampi and fuses them with the golden, bubbly goodness of a classic casserole. The result is a savory meal filled with tender pasta strands, juicy tail-on shrimp, and a silkily rich lemon cream sauce topped with melted mozzarella.

Making a restaurant-quality meal at home does not require complicated techniques or hours spent over a hot stove. On busy weeknights when time is tight but cravings are high, this simple one-pan sauce and quick-bake method keeps cleanup minimal. You get all the bold garlicky depth, tangy splash of fresh lemon juice, and luscious melted cheese without the fuss.

Why You Will Love This Garlic Butter Pasta Dish

Fresh ingredients prepared for the garlic butter scampi sauce and pasta bake.

Standard scampi is fantastic, but turning it into a baked pasta casserole elevates the entire experience. Cooking the pasta al dente ensures that as it bakes in the oven, it absorbs every drop of the rich white wine, garlic, and heavy cream reduction without turning soft or mushy. The top layer of shredded mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan forms a crispy, golden crust that seals in all the moisture and flavor.

Plus, this recipe is remarkably adaptable for any table. Whether you are hosting a cozy Sunday dinner, meal-prepping for the week ahead, or preparing a special date-night feast, it scales up effortlessly. You can easily swap proteins, toss in fresh spinach or cherry tomatoes, or adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your exact spice preference.

Essential Tips for Success

To achieve the best texture and depth of flavor in your skillet sauce, keep a few simple guidelines in mind before you start cooking:

  • Do Not Overcook the Shrimp: Sauté your shrimp in garlic butter for just three minutes until they turn barely pink. They will finish cooking to tender precision inside the oven.
  • Choose Quality Ingredients: Use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that you actually enjoy drinking. If you prefer cooking without alcohol, a rich chicken broth or seafood stock works as a great substitute.
  • Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded packaged cheeses contain anti-caking agents that hinder smooth melting. Grating fresh mozzarella and Parmesan yields that luscious, gooey stretch every pasta lover craves.

    • Whisking heavy cream and fresh lemon juice into the simmered garlic butter reduction.

Pull this piping-hot dish out of the oven, garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon, and serve it directly to the table alongside warm garlic bread or a crisp green salad.

Serving the warm pasta bake topped with melted mozzarella and seared shrimp.

Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

A rich, comforting weeknight bake combining tender linguine pasta, juicy garlic-butter seared shrimp, and a creamy lemon scampi sauce topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup or chicken broth
  • Juice and zest of 1 fresh lemon
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook linguine in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add shrimp to the skillet and sauté for 3–4 minutes until pink and nearly cooked through. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  5. Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes.
  7. Toss cooked pasta into the skillet, coating it thoroughly in the creamy sauce. Season with salt and black pepper.
  8. Transfer the coated pasta to the prepared 9×13 baking dish. Arrange the seared shrimp on top.
  9. Sprinkle Parmesan and mozzarella cheese evenly over the dish.
  10. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
  11. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.

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