Description

This Easy Cheesy Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake is a crowd-pleasing, comfort-food twist on classic shrimp scampi. Succulent shrimp are tossed with garlic, lemon, and herbs, then layered with al dente pasta and a blend of gooey cheeses. Baked until bubbling and golden, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or impressive entertaining.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta & Shrimp

12 oz (340 g) penne or ziti pasta
1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Scampi Sauce

2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Cheesy Topping

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Herbs & Garnish

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pasta: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sauté Shrimp: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and season with half the salt and pepper. Sauté for 1–2 minutes per side until just pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
Make Scampi Sauce: In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Deglaze with white wine (or broth), scraping any bits from the pan. Add lemon juice and zest; stir well.
Toss Pasta and Shrimp: Add drained pasta and cooked shrimp to the skillet. Toss together with the sauce and chopped parsley until everything is well coated.
Layer and Add Cheese: Transfer the pasta-shrimp mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is lightly golden.
Serve: Remove from oven, let cool briefly. Garnish with extra parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

To save time, use pre-cooked shrimp; add them to the sauce just to warm through.
Swap penne for any short pasta you enjoy, such as rotini or rigatoni.
White wine gives great depth, but chicken broth is a fine substitute.
For a spicier kick, increase red pepper flakes as desired.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 430
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 940mg
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 9g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 26g
Cholesterol: 195mg