This pasta bake is a true taste of the sea, with tender pasta enveloped in a creamy, flavorful sauce and studded with succulent seafood. It’s a comforting, satisfying dish that’s perfect for a special dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
Each bite of this baked pasta is an explosion of oceanic flavors, perfectly complemented by a rich, cheesy topping.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A luscious blend of briny seafood, creamy sauce, and savory cheese.
- Textures: Tender pasta, flaky seafood, and a bubbling, golden-brown topping.
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with about 30 minutes of active cooking time.
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly; a great recipe for anyone looking to make a stunning seafood dish.
What You’ll Need
This Divine Seafood Pasta Bake is built on a foundation of perfectly cooked pasta, a medley of delicious seafood, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. You’ll need quality pasta, a variety of seafood like shrimp and scallops, plus a mix of aromatics to build your sauce, and a topping of cheese for that perfect golden crust.
Ingredients Notes
- Pasta – Use your favorite pasta shape. Medium shells or penne work beautifully.
- Shrimp – Fresh or frozen shrimp are a great addition, remember to thaw if frozen before cooking.
- Scallops – Opt for fresh, high-quality scallops, as they add a tender and delicate texture.
- Butter – Unsalted butter is what makes this sauce extra creamy!
- Flour – All-purpose flour is used to thicken the sauce.
- Milk – Whole milk provides the richest and creamiest sauce.
- Heavy Cream – A touch of heavy cream adds extra richness to the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan cheese brings a salty, nutty flavor; it also helps to thicken the sauce.
- Mozzarella Cheese – Use a good quality mozzarella, and shred it fresh for the best flavor and melting properties.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic infuses the sauce with savory notes.
- Onion – Adds a subtle sweetness which balances the flavors.
- Salt & Pepper – Enhances all ingredients.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a touch of heat.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley or chives can be added for a pop of freshness.
- Vegetables: Sauté some bell peppers or mushrooms with the onion and garlic for extra flavor and texture.
How to Make Divine Seafood Pasta Bake
Let’s dive into creating our incredible seafood pasta bake. With just a few simple steps, you’ll be enjoying this delightful dish without a lot of fuss.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Set the pasta aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Make the Sauce: Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth, then bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Reduce the heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in 1/2 of the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the Seafood: Add the shrimp and scallops to the sauce and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the shrimp is pink.
- Combine the Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to combine. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Assemble the Bake: Pour the pasta and seafood mixture into a large baking dish.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake the Pasta: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
Pro Tip: Don’t overcook the pasta initially; it will continue to cook slightly in the oven.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook the Seafood: Seafood cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking and becoming rubbery.
- Season Generously: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Freshly Grated Cheese is Best: Freshly grated parmesan and mozzarella cheese will provide the best flavor and melting quality.
- Let it Rest: Allow the pasta bake to cool for a few minutes before serving to help the flavors meld.
FAQs
- Can I use different types of pasta?
Yes, feel free to use your favorite pasta shape! Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as needed. - Can I assemble this ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the bake and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time. - How do I prevent the pasta bake from drying out?
Make sure you have enough sauce and add some reserved pasta water if the pasta seems dry.
Serving Suggestions
- Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a perfect and refreshing side dish.
- Garlic Bread: No pasta bake is complete without warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Steamed Vegetables: Serve with steamed asparagus or broccoli for a healthy and colorful side.
Make This Recipe in Advance
The pasta bake can be assembled a day ahead of time. Simply prepare the pasta, sauce, and seafood mixture, then assemble in the baking dish. Cover and refrigerate. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time when you’re ready to bake. You can also freeze the baked pasta bake for up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven until heated through.
Divine Seafood Pasta Bake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This pasta bake is a true taste of the sea, with tender pasta enveloped in a creamy, flavorful sauce and studded with succulent seafood. It’s a comforting, satisfying dish that’s perfect for a special dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
Ingredients
7 oz / 200 g macaroni or other pasta of choice
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil , separated
1 lb / 500 g mixed raw seafood (Marinara seafood mix)
2 leeks , white and pale green part only finely sliced
2 garlic cloves , minced
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1 chicken bouillon cube (or 1 1/2 tsp chicken stock powder) OR 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
3/4 cup panko
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (high recommended)
Finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F.
Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain, and place in a baking dish.
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a skillet over high heat. Sear the seafood for 30 seconds per side, keeping the insides raw. Transfer to the baking dish.
Return the pan to the stove, add the remaining 1/2 tbsp of oil and turn to medium heat. Cook the leeks and garlic for 3 minutes, then add to the baking dish.
Mix the pasta, seafood, and leeks together.
In the skillet, melt the butter. Add flour and stir. Cook for 1 minute.
Add 1 cup of milk and whisk. Add the remaining milk and bouillon cube (or Parmesan cheese) and whisk. Cook for 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
Pour the sauce into the baking dish. Top with panko and Parmesan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Don’t Overcook the Seafood: Seafood cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking and becoming rubbery.
Season Generously: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Freshly Grated Cheese is Best: Freshly grated parmesan and mozzarella cheese will provide the best flavor and melting quality.
Let it Rest: Allow the pasta bake to cool for a few minutes before serving to help the flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 500
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Protein: 30g
