Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

A creamy, garlicky, lemon-buttery shrimp scampi baked with pasta and melted cheese — rich, comforting, and perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

 Prep Time: 15 minutes

 Cook Time: 25–30 minutes

 Servings: 4–6

 Ingredients

Pasta & Shrimp

• 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, linguine, or spaghetti)
• 1 lb (450g) raw shrimp, peeled & deveined
• Salt & black pepper, to taste

Scampi Sauce

• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup chicken broth (or white wine)
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cheese & Topping

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan (extra for topping)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional)
• 2 tbsp melted butter (for topping)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

 Cook the Pasta

• Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
• Drain and set aside.

Cook the Shrimp

• Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat.
• Cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until pink.
• Remove and set aside.

 Make the Scampi Sauce

• In the same pan, melt remaining butter.
• Add garlic and red pepper flakes — sauté 30 seconds.
• Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, broth (or wine), and cream.
• Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Stir in Parmesan cheese.

 Combine Everything

• Add cooked pasta and shrimp into the sauce.
• Toss to coat evenly.

Assemble the Bake

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
• Transfer pasta mixture to a greased baking dish.
• Sprinkle mozzarella and extra Parmesan on top.
• Optional: Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over for a crispy topping.

 Bake

• Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
• Garnish with parsley before serving.

 Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Garlic bread
• Caesar salad
• Roasted asparagus or broccoli

Tips & Variations

• Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor
• Use white wine instead of broth for a restaurant-style taste
• Make it spicy with extra chili flakes
• Substitute shrimp with chicken or scallop