If you have a soft spot for rich, buttery seafood dishes that bring the whole family to the table, you are going to fall head over heels for this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe. It perfectly combines tender shrimp, a luscious lemon-garlic cream sauce, and pockets of gooey melted cheese all baked atop perfectly cooked linguine. This dish takes the classic shrimp scampi flavors you love and transforms them into a cozy pasta bake that’s both elegant and incredibly comforting—a true crowd-pleaser any night of the week.

Ingredients You'll Need

A clear glass bowl sits on a wooden cutting board holding a pile of raw peeled shrimp, pale pink and white in color, showing their curved shapes and smooth texture. In front of this bowl, three small clear glass bowls hold different ingredients: chopped green herbs on the left, a grainy yellow mustard-like paste on the right, and minced garlic in the middle, light beige in color. To the right on the cutting board, there are two wrapped sticks of butter with blue and yellow packaging. The entire setup rests on a white marbled surface with a folded light blue cloth featuring white floral patterns behind the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

To create the magic of this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe, you don’t need an overwhelming list of ingredients—just a handful of simple, fresh components that bring intense flavor and satisfying textures to every bite.

12 oz linguine or spaghetti: The ideal pasta shape to soak up the creamy scampi sauce while holding onto shrimp perfectly.
1 lb large shrimp (peeled and deveined): Fresh shrimp add sweet, tender seafood goodness that’s the star of the dish.
4 tablespoons butter: Essential for that rich and velvety base, helping to infuse the garlic and sauce with buttery depth.
4 cloves garlic (minced): Provides aromatic punch and signature shrimp scampi flavor that wakes up your taste buds.
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes: Adds a subtle hint of heat that brightens without overpowering.
½ cup white wine or chicken broth: A splash of acidity and moisture to build the sauce’s complexity.
1 lemon (juiced and zested): Brings fresh citrus brightness that perfectly balances the creamy richness.
1 cup heavy cream: Creates the silky, luscious sauce that coats every noodle beautifully.
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Adds nutty, savory flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey, golden layers on top that everyone will adore.
Salt and pepper (to taste): Simple seasonings to enhance all the other flavors seamlessly.
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: A fresh herb garnish that adds a pop of color and freshness at the end.

How to Make Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Start by setting your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). This ensures it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake your pasta and cheese to bubbly perfection.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the linguine or spaghetti according to the package directions until just al dente. You want it firm enough to hold up in the bake without turning mushy. Once done, drain and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for just about a minute until you can smell that irresistible garlic aroma filling your kitchen. This step builds the base flavors.

Step 4: Cook the Shrimp

Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet and cook them for 3 to 4 minutes, flipping once until they turn pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set them aside—you want them just perfectly cooked before the bake.

Step 5: Prepare the Sauce

Pour the white wine or chicken broth into the skillet, using it to deglaze the pan and loosen any flavorful browned bits. Let this simmer for about two minutes to concentrate the flavor and reduce slightly.

Step 6: Combine Flavors with Cream and Lemon

Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and heavy cream, bringing everything to a gentle simmer so the sauce thickens lightly and the lemony brightness infuses the mixture beautifully.

Step 7: Toss Pasta in the Sauce

Add your cooked pasta directly into the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat every strand in that creamy, garlicky sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting until it hits the perfect balance.

Step 8: Assemble the Pasta Bake

Transfer the saucy pasta into a large baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface. Layer the cooked shrimp on top, making sure they’re nicely distributed so every serving gets plenty of seafood.

Step 9: Add the Cheeses

Sprinkle the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella evenly over the top of the pasta and shrimp. This cheese combo melts into a lush, golden crust that complements the creamy sauce underneath.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Place your dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and starting to turn golden brown. This finishing step gives the dish that irresistible baked texture.

Step 11: Garnish and Serve

Once baked, remove the Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe from the oven and sprinkle it generously with freshly chopped parsley. The fresh herb adds a lovely pop of color and brightness just before serving.

How to Serve Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe

A close-up view of a white spoon holding four cooked shrimp, light pink with soft white highlights, each shrimp showing a smooth texture with small green herb pieces on top. The shrimp sit above a shallow white dish filled with more shrimp and a yellow buttery sauce sprinkled with green herbs. The background and surface feature a soft white marbled texture, and some green herb sprigs are slightly blurred in the back. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh parsley is classic, but you can also add a few lemon wedges on the side for extra zest. A light drizzle of high-quality olive oil or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes can elevate the final presentation.

Side Dishes

This pasta bake pairs beautifully with simple green salads tossed in light vinaigrettes or roasted veggies such as asparagus or broccoli. Crusty garlic bread on the side is also a fantastic way to soak up every last bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve this dish in individual ramekins for an elegant touch when hosting dinner guests. Alternatively, layering fresh mozzarella slices on top before baking adds a melty, rustic vibe that everyone loves.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe stores wonderfully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep it chilled and ready for a quick, decadent meal later.

Freezing

You can freeze this pasta bake for up to two months. To prevent sogginess, cool completely, cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, about 15 minutes, to retain the crispy cheesy topping. Microwaving works for a quick fix but might soften the cheese and pasta texture.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw them fully and pat dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture in your pasta bake.

Is it okay to substitute the heavy cream with milk?

While milk can work, it won’t provide the same richness and thickness as heavy cream, which really makes this dish velvety and indulgent.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap the linguine for your favorite gluten-free pasta and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free friendly.

What if I don’t have white wine?

No worries—chicken broth is a perfect, flavorful substitute that keeps the sauce just as delicious.

How spicy is the Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe?

The red pepper flakes add just a gentle kick that enhances the flavors without overwhelming the dish, but you can always adjust the amount to suit your spice preference.

Final Thoughts

This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate, combining beloved shrimp scampi flavors with the comforting allure of a cheesy pasta bake. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough to serve at a special gathering. Trust me, once you make this recipe, it’ll quickly become a favorite go-to in your kitchen. So grab your ingredients, crank up the oven, and enjoy every delicious bite!