Description

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Scallops & Pasta is a quick and elegant dish featuring tender seared scallops tossed in a luscious garlic-infused Parmesan cream sauce with fettuccine or linguine. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, this recipe blends comforting creaminess with sophisticated flavors in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Seafood

12 oz fresh or thawed sea scallops

Produce

3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Dairy

1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter

Pantry

8 oz pasta (fettuccine or linguine)
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your fettuccine or linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about half a cup of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency later.
Sear the Scallops: Pat the scallops dry with paper towels to ensure a golden sear. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place scallops in the hot pan, cooking for about 2 minutes per side until they develop a caramelized crust. Remove scallops from pan and set aside.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic to the skillet, cooking until fragrant but not browned. Pour in heavy cream and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, allowing the sauce to thicken gently. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine Pasta and Scallops: Add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until you reach your desired creaminess. Gently nestle the seared scallops on top and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Dry scallops well before searing to achieve a perfect golden crust.
Use fresh Parmesan cheese for better melting and richer flavor.
Avoid overcooking scallops; 2 minutes per side is ideal to keep them tender.
Reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce without losing flavor.
Season gradually and taste as you go, as Parmesan adds salt.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Searing, Simmering
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 40g
Saturated Fat: 25g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: scallops, creamy pasta, garlic Parmesan, quick dinner, elegant dinner, seafood pasta