Description
A vibrant and flavorful Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Scallop Pasta featuring tender seafood, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon-garlic sauce. This 40-minute recipe combines perfectly cooked spaghetti with sautéed shrimp, scallops, cherry tomatoes, and baby spinach for a delightful and healthy seafood pasta dish.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 5 ounces spaghetti (approx. 140 grams)
Seafood
- 1/2 pound shrimp, thawed, tails and shells removed
- 1/2 pound scallops, thawed
Sauce & Veggies
- 1/4 cup olive oil (divided)
- 3-5 cloves garlic, minced (depending on size)
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 a lemon, juice and zest
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or more as desired
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional
- Freshly grated parmesan (preferably Parmigiano Reggiano), for serving
Instructions
- Prep: Thaw shrimp and scallops, removing any tails and shells. Pat them dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing. Mince the garlic, zest the lemon first, then squeeze out the juice.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook Scallops: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the scallops and cook for 2 minutes on each side until they turn opaque and develop a light golden crust. Remove scallops from the pan and place on a clean plate.
- Cook Shrimp: Using the same pan, add the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until they are opaque and pink. Remove shrimp and set aside with the scallops.
- Cook Veggies: Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and reduce the heat slightly to medium. Sauté the minced garlic for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until they start to burst and release their juices. Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
- Combine: Turn off the heat. Add the cooked spaghetti, shrimp, scallops, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan with the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together thoroughly to combine and warm through.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and seafood mixture. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh and flavorful seafood pasta!
Notes
- Make sure to pat the seafood dry before cooking to achieve a good sear and prevent steaming.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Use freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for the best flavor if topping with cheese.
- You can substitute spaghetti with other pasta types like linguine or fettuccine if desired.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
