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Creamy Cheesy Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

A close-up of a serving of shrimp scampi pasta bake, featuring penne pasta, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and topped with baked shrimp.
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You get the rich, garlicky flavor of classic shrimp scampi combined with the comfort of a cheesy pasta bake. This easy casserole is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 12 ounces pasta (like penne or rotini)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
  3. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant; do not let it brown.
  4. Pour in the white wine or broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  6. Add the shrimp to the sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes until they just turn pink and opaque. Remove the skillet from the heat immediately.
  7. Stir the cooked pasta, Parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese into the shrimp mixture until everything is well combined.
  8. Transfer the pasta mixture to your prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the remaining mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan. If you want a crisp top, sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs over the cheese.
  9. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and lightly golden brown.
  10. Remove from the oven, let it cool for 5 minutes, and garnish with fresh parsley before you serve it.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use fresh garlic instead of jarred minced garlic.
  • You can prepare the entire casserole, cover it, and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.
  • If you skip the breadcrumbs, the top will be purely cheesy and soft.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerycommand.com/shrimp-scampi-pasta-bake/