– 12 ounces pasta (linguine or spaghetti)
– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 4 tablespoons olive oil
– 6 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
– 1 teaspoon lemon zest
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Creating Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake can be a simple and enjoyable process if you follow these steps:
1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. Sauté Shrimp: In a large skillet, melt the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the shrimp turns pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to combine.
5. Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Add the heavy cream, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir in half of the Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
6. Combine: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp to the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce.
7. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan cheese.
8. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
9. Garnish: Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Following these steps will guide you in creating this incredible Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake easily.