Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Bake

 

📝 Ingredients

For the Pasta & Shrimp

• 12 oz pasta (penne, ziti, or fettuccine work beautifully)

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to your heat preference)

• ½ cup dry white wine (or chicken broth as a substitute)

• Juice of 1 lemon (about 2–3 tbsp)

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

For the Creamy Sauce

• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)

• ½ cup chicken broth

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ¼ tsp nutmeg (just a pinch for warmth)

For the Topping & Finish

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)|
  

  👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Preheat & Start the Pasta
  Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions, but stop 1–2 minutes early—it should still be slightly firm. Drain and set aside.

  2. Sear the Shrimp
  While the pasta cooks, heat the butter and olive oil together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overdo it—they'll finish cooking in the oven. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.

  3. Build the Scampi Base
  In the same skillet (those browned bits are flavor gold!), reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don't let it burn. Pour in the wine (or broth) and lemon juice, scraping the pan with a wooden spoon to release all those savory bits. Let it bubble and reduce for about 2 minutes.

  4. Make It Creamy
  Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a pinch of nutmeg. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce starts to thicken slightly and turns silky smooth.

  5. Combine & Assemble
  Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet, along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together until every piece is beautifully coated in that creamy, garlicky sauce. Transfer the entire mixture to a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer.

  6. Top with Cheese & Bake
  Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and just starting to turn golden at the edges.

  7. Garnish & Serve
  Pull the dish from the oven and let it rest for a couple of minutes—this helps the sauce settle. Finish with a shower of fresh parsley, then serve it up hot, with the cheese pulling into glorious strings with every scoop.