Baked Seafood Pasta: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for 4 Recipe

Introduction

This Baked Seafood Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender pasta with succulent shrimp, scallops, and crab meat. Perfect for a comforting dinner, it’s topped with cheesy goodness and baked to golden perfection. Ready in under an hour, it’s an ultimate crowd-pleaser for seafood lovers.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli are great choices)
• 1 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup scallops
• 1 cup crab meat
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
4. Step 4: Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Toss in shrimp, scallops, and crab meat; cook until seafood is just opaque, about 4-5 minutes.
6. Step 6: Mix in spinach and let it wilt for an additional 2 minutes.
7. Step 7: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine.
8. Step 8: Add half of the Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the sauce thickens slightly.
9. Step 9: Combine the seafood mixture with the pasta, ensuring every piece is well coated.
10. Step 10: Transfer everything to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
11. Step 11: Top with the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
12. Step 12: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
13. Step 13: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes.
14. Step 14: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use penne or fusilli pasta shapes as they hold the sauce well, but feel free to substitute with rigatoni or shells for variety.
• For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine when sautéing the garlic and seafood.
• If you prefer less spice, omit the red pepper flakes or reduce the amount.
• Try adding other seafood like mussels or clams for a different twist.
• Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can be added instead of dried for a brighter taste.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through, or microwave in short intervals to avoid drying out the pasta.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen seafood for this recipe?

Yes, frozen seafood works well. Just be sure to thaw it completely and pat dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

To make it dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based alternative, and use dairy-free cheeses or omit the cheese topping altogether.

Baked Seafood Pasta: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe for 4 Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 121 reviews

Baked Seafood Pasta is a creamy, delicious dish featuring a medley of shrimp, scallops, and crab meat baked with pasta in a rich garlic and herb-infused cream sauce topped with melted Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Perfect for a comforting, elegant meal serving four.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood

• 1 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup scallops
• 1 cup crab meat

Pasta and Vegetables

• 8 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli)
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Cheese and Dairy

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Seasonings and Oils

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the pasta later.
2. Cook the pasta: Prepare the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to combine later.
3. Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing them until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Cook the seafood: Add shrimp, scallops, and crab meat to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the seafood turns opaque and is just cooked through.
5. Add spinach: Toss in the chopped spinach and continue cooking for 2 more minutes until wilted.
6. Make the cream sauce: Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine with the seafood and spinach. Add half of the Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Stir until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Combine pasta and seafood sauce: Mix the cooked pasta into the skillet with the seafood cream sauce, ensuring all the pasta is coated evenly.
8. Transfer to baking dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and transfer the pasta and seafood mixture into it in an even layer.
9. Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the pasta.
10. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
11. Cool and garnish: Remove from the oven and let cool a few minutes to set. Garnish the baked pasta with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

• Use penne or fusilli pasta to hold the sauce well and provide texture.
• If you prefer less heat, omit the red pepper flakes.
• Fresh seafood gives the best flavor, but frozen shrimp and scallops can be used if thawed properly.
• Make sure not to overcook the seafood in the skillet to keep it tender.
• Allow baked pasta to cool slightly before serving for better consistency.

Keywords: seafood pasta, baked pasta, shrimp, scallops, crab meat, creamy pasta, Italian seafood dish