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Baked Seafood Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 60 reviews

Baked Seafood Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender pasta with a medley of shrimp, scallops, and crab meat baked under a golden, bubbly cheese crust. Enhanced with garlic, spinach, and aromatic herbs, this comforting recipe is perfect for family dinners or special occasions, offering an elegant yet approachable seafood pasta experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Seafood

  • 8 ounces pasta (penne or fusilli)
  • 1 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup scallops
  • 1 cup crab meat

Sauce and Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cheeses and Vegetables

  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup spinach, chopped

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the pasta dish evenly.
  2. Cook Pasta: Boil pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and add minced garlic along with red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant to build the base flavor.
  4. Cook Seafood: Add shrimp, scallops, and crab meat to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the seafood turns opaque but not overcooked.
  5. Wilt Spinach: Mix in chopped spinach and cook for an additional 2 minutes until it wilts and combines with the seafood flavors.
  6. Add Cream and Herbs: Pour in the heavy cream, stir to blend, then add half of the Parmesan cheese, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir until the sauce thickens slightly to coat the seafood mixture well.
  7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet with the creamy seafood sauce, mixing thoroughly to ensure every piece of pasta is coated.
  8. Prepare for Baking: Transfer the seafood pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  9. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese evenly over the top, followed by the shredded mozzarella cheese for a rich, bubbly crust.
  10. Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the cheese topping is golden brown and bubbling hot.
  11. Rest and Garnish: Remove the dish from the oven, allow to cool for a few minutes to set, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh seafood for the best flavor and texture.
  • Adjust seasoning carefully to avoid overpowering the dish.
  • Do not overcook the seafood during sautéing as it continues cooking in the oven.
  • Consider adding fresh herbs like thyme or dill for extra flavor layers.
  • Pair with a light lemon-dressed salad to balance the richness.
  • Gluten-free pasta can be substituted for dietary needs.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Keywords: baked seafood pasta, creamy seafood pasta, shrimp scallop crab pasta, baked pasta recipe, Italian seafood pasta

Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/baked-seafood-pasta-recipe/