Creamy Scallops and Pasta: A Delightful Recipe for Any Occasion
This creamy scallops and pasta recipe is a surefire way to impress your family and friends. It's elegant enough for a dinner party but simple enough for a weeknight meal. The combination of succulent scallops, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luscious cream sauce is a match made in heaven. This recipe is optimized for search engines, focusing on relevant keywords and phrases to improve its visibility. Let's dive into the deliciousness!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe serves 2-3 people. Feel free to double or triple the recipe as needed.
- 1 pound linguine or fettuccine pasta: Choose a pasta shape that can hold the creamy sauce well.
- 1 pound sea scallops: Ensure they are fresh and dry-packed for optimal results. Pat them dry before cooking!
- 4 tablespoons butter: Unsalted butter is preferred for better flavor control.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic adds a wonderful punch of flavor.
- 1/2 cup dry white wine: A crisp white wine enhances the overall taste. (Optional, you can substitute with chicken broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream: This provides the creamy texture and richness.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds depth of flavor.
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley: Fresh parsley adds a pop of freshness and color.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: To taste, of course!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Sear the Scallops:
- While the pasta is cooking, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
- Add the scallops to the skillet and sear for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan; work in batches if necessary. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Creamy Sauce:
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth) and let it simmer for a minute or two, allowing the alcohol to cook off (if using wine).
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken slightly.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine and Serve:
- Add the cooked pasta to the creamy sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Add the seared scallops to the pasta and gently toss to combine.
- Stir in the chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips and Variations:
- Add some spice: A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a nice kick.
- Lemon zest: A little lemon zest brightens up the sauce.
- Different pasta: Try other pasta shapes like tagliatelle or spaghetti.
- Seafood additions: Shrimp or mussels would also be delicious additions.
- Make it a complete meal: Add some sauteed vegetables like spinach or asparagus.
This creamy scallops and pasta recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The elegant presentation and delicious flavors will make it a memorable meal. Enjoy! Remember to share your culinary creations using #CreamyScallopsPasta!
