Description

This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake combines tender, garlicky shrimp with creamy, cheesy pasta, baked to bubbly perfection. Featuring flavorful garlic butter shrimp tossed with penne pasta and smothered in a rich cream sauce with Parmesan and mozzarella, it’s an easy, comforting weeknight dinner that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Sauce

8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli works best)
4 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Shrimp

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Garnish

Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat the oven – Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prepare it for baking the pasta casserole.
Cook the pasta – Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes – In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned to develop the base flavor.
Cook the shrimp – Add the peeled, deveined shrimp to the skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Create the creamy sauce – Pour in heavy cream and half the grated Parmesan cheese into the skillet with shrimp. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and melds flavors.
Combine pasta and shrimp sauce – In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the shrimp and cream sauce mixture, tossing well to ensure even coating and flavor distribution.
Assemble in baking dish – Transfer the pasta and shrimp mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese and then the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
Bake the pasta – Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted with golden brown spots on top.
Garnish and serve – Remove from the oven, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a bright finish, and serve warm for a delicious, comforting meal.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Serving ideas: Pair this dish with a crisp green salad or garlic bread to complement the creamy pasta bake.
Substitutions: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free cream alternative for a lighter or lactose-free version.
Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the pasta bake ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: shrimp scampi, pasta bake, baked pasta, creamy shrimp pasta, garlic butter shrimp, cheesy pasta casserole, easy dinner, weeknight meal