Description
A cozy and satisfying baked pasta dish combining tender pasta, juicy shrimp, garlicky lemon-butter sauce, and a golden cheesy topping, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cavatappi or cellentani pasta
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Cook the pasta in salted water until just shy of al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in lemon juice and zest, season again, and pour in reserved pasta water. Simmer briefly to thicken.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the sauce. Stir in ½ cup Parmesan and ½ cup mozzarella until melted and combined.
- Pour everything into the baking dish, top with shrimp, then sprinkle on the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes for color and nutrition.
- Use red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Try different cheeses like Gruyère or fontina for varied flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F or microwave with a splash of broth or water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
