Description
This Baked Garlic Shrimp Scampi is a quick and flavorful seafood dish featuring tender shrimp baked with aromatic garlic, butter, and lemon, then tossed with creamy Parmesan spaghetti. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it combines the brightness of lemon zest and juice with the richness of cream and cheese for a comforting yet light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp Mixture
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/3 cup seafood broth (or broth of choice)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
Pasta
- 10 ounces spaghetti noodles, cooked according to package instructions
Finishing Ingredients
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (plus more for garnish)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the shrimp.
- Mix shrimp ingredients: In a medium-sized baking dish, combine the peeled shrimp, chopped shallot, melted butter, chopped garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, seafood broth, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix gently to coat the shrimp evenly.
- Bake the shrimp: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the shrimp turn fully opaque and are cooked through.
- Cook the spaghetti noodles: While the shrimp bakes, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti noodles and cook for 8-12 minutes or until tender according to package instructions. Drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Combine pasta and shrimp: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley to the shrimp mixture in the dish. Stir everything gently to combine all ingredients and allow the cream and cheese to mingle with the pasta and shrimp.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle additional chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese on top for garnish. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute seafood broth with chicken or vegetable broth if preferred.
- If you like spicier food, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- For a lighter version, switch heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream substitute.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
