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A creamy Seafood Pasta Bake with shrimp, melted cheese, and herbs in a glass baking dish on a wooden table.
Layla

Seafood Pasta Bake

Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with shrimp and scallops, this cozy pasta bake is weeknight comfort food at its finest.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 580

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 lb rigatoni or penne, cooked 2 minutes less than package directions
For the Seafood
  • 12 oz large shrimp peeled, deveined, tails removed
  • 8 oz bay scallops patted dry
  • 2 tbsp olive oil divided
For the Sauce
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2.5 cups whole milk room temperature
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese freshly grated, divided
For Assembly
  • 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large pot for pasta
  • Large skillet

Method
 

Prep
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until just shy of al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package says. Drain and set aside. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven.
Cook the Seafood
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, then cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove to a plate. Add remaining oil to the skillet, season scallops, and sear for 2 minutes without moving them until golden. Flip and cook 1 minute more. Remove from heat. The seafood will finish cooking in the bake.
Make the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the raw flour smell disappears.
  2. Gradually whisk in milk and cream, pouring in a steady stream while whisking to prevent lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup Parmesan until melted. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Assemble and Bake
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the sauce, shrimp, and scallops. Transfer to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with mozzarella and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan.
  2. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling around the edges, and starting to brown in spots. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Notes

Do not overcook the seafood in the skillet - it will toughen. The residual heat and oven time will finish it perfectly. For a lighter version, use all milk and skip the cream, though the sauce will be less rich. Assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Add 10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.