This Creamy Scallop Pasta is an elegant dinner idea that is quick to cook and easy to make.
The creamy sauce is rich with garlic and a touch of wine or brandy, while the scallops are seared to perfection - golden on the outside and meltingly tender within.
Serve this on date night, or serve it when you have friends for dinner. This is one recipe that is sure to impress. Add a crispy green salad, some bread, and a bottle of wine, and enjoy your evening!
This scallop and spaghetti recipe is easy to make, yet it tastes as if it came from a posh restaurant. The Seared scallops are bathed in a rich garlic cream sauce and stirred through pasta for a decadent, indulgent, and impressive meal.
If cooking scallops at home worries you, then have no fear; we will show you how to cook them so you can make the most fantastic scallop pasta!
Cooking Scallops
The perfect seared scallop should have a crisp golden crust with a meltingly soft center. They take 3-4 minutes to cook; anything more than that and they will be overcooked. Overcooked scallops are tough and rubbery!
I learned to cook scallops from Gordon Ramsey, so now even 20 years on, I do as I am told; I mean, would you argue with Gordon Ramsey?
You can read more about cooking scallops in this post, "How to Perfectly Pan Sear Scallops."
My top tips for cooking scallops:
- Before you cook scallops, make sure they are very dry - pat them dry with several pieces of kitchen paper.
- Make sure the pan is hot before adding the oil or the seafood.
- Only sprinkle the scallops with salt just before adding them to the frying pan.
- Place the scallops in an orderly pattern in the pan. You reduce the risk of overcooking your scallops since you can turn them as you add them. I use an imaginary clock face and work in a clockwise direction.
- Don't touch the scallops after adding them to the pan; let them cook for at least 90 seconds to form a golden crust.
Recipe Hints and Tips
Scallops: I like large sea scallops for this recipe, but you can substitute with bay scallops if you prefer (they will need less cooking)
Spaghetti: Any long pasta will work here, so feel free to use linguine or fettuccine. (if using something quick cooking like angel hair pasta, you will need to start the sauce before you put the pasta onto cook.
Butter: You can use salted or unsalted
Garlic: Finely minced or grated. Try and use fresh garlic. It has so much more flavor. Reduce the quantity of garlic if you like a mild flavor
White wine: You can substitute with dry white vermouth or brandy if you don't have wine. If you don't consume alcohol, then substitute it for low sodium broth (vegetable/chicken/fish)
Cream: Use heavy cream for a thick, rich sauce. (thickened cream/double cream for those not in the US) Half and half will not thicken up, so you might need to thicken the sauce with cornstarch if you substitute.
Dill: Fresh dill works so well with the garlic and lemon in this dish, but you can use ½ teaspoon of dried instead. Or substitute in thyme or parsley.
Lemon juice: This cuts through the rich cream and adds a zing to the pasta. If you don't have any lemons, you can leave it out.
What to serve with Creamy Garlic Scallop Pasta
Serve this scallop spaghetti with a green side salad and a chunk of good bread. We tend to use pane di casa or ciabatta.
What wine to drink with Creamy Scallop Pasta
The creamy garlic sauce works perfectly with a buttery Chardonnay or cut through the richness with a Pinot Grigio.
If you love red wine, then a lightly chilled Pinot Noir or Gamey could work well.
Rose champagne would be a decadent treat and always works with seafood! (Definitely my favorite choice here!)
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For other scallop pasta recipes, try:
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Enjoy x
If you try this Creamy Scallop Pasta, please leave a 🌟star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I really appreciate it, and it helps others to know that the recipe is trustworthy.
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Get the Recipe
Creamy Scallop Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ lb scallops - see note 1
- 12 oz dried spaghetti - see note 2
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 large garlic cloves minced
- salt to taste
- ¼ cup dry white wine - see note 3
- 1 ½ cup heavy cream - see note 4
- 1 teaspoon chopped dill - see note 5
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Ensure the scallops are dry by patting them with a paper towel to remove any moisture. Then leave them to sit on a sheet of paper towel.1 ¼ lb scallops
- Bring a large pan of water to a boil. Add the salt and cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the packet instructions.1 tablespoon salt12 oz dried spaghetti
- Once cooked, reserve 1 ½ cups of the pasta cooking liquid and drain the pasta.
- As soon as the pasta is in the water, start the seafood.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet/frying pan over medium-high heat.2 tablespoons olive oil
- Season the scallops with salt. Then carefully and quickly add the scallops to the frying pan in a single layer. Cook the scallops for 90 seconds on one side, then flip the scallops and cook for 60 seconds. Remove from the pan and set to one side.salt
- Add the butter to the same pan, scraping up any bits left from the scallops. Add in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.2 tablespoons butter4 large garlic cloves
- Pour in the wine and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes, then add in the cream. Simmer for 2 minutes.¼ cup dry white wine1 ½ cup heavy cream
- Stir in the dill and lemon juice. Add the pasta and stir to coat. Add in ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water if needed.1 teaspoon chopped dill1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Add the scallops and any juice to the pasta and stir gently for 1 minute. Add salt and pepper to taste.salt and black pepper
- Serve garnished with parsley.2 tablespoon chopped parsley
Notes
- I like large sea scallops for this recipe, but you can substitute with bay scallops if you prefer (they will need less cooking)
- Any long pasta will work here, so feel free to use linguine or fettuccine. (if using something quick cooking like angel hair pasta, you will need to start the sauce before you the pasta onto cook.
- You can substitute with dry white vermouth or brandy if you don't have wine. Use 2 tablespoons of brandy. If you don't consume alcohol, then substitute it for ¼ cup of low sodium broth (vegetable/chicken/fish)
- Use heavy cream for a thick, rich sauce. (thickened cream/double cream for those not in the US) Half and half will not thicken up, so you might need to thicken the sauce with cornstarch if you substitute.
- Fresh dill works so well with the garlic and lemon in this dish, but you can use ½ teaspoon of dried instead. Or substitute in thyme or parsley.
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
Rose says
This was an easy dinner that the whole family enjoyed. I usually don't enjoy scallops on their own, but added to this creamy pasta was so delicious!
Kimberly Shaver says
Oh my goodness! I stumbled upon this recipe while on vacation at the beach in Florida and we were craving scallops with pasta. It was seriously better than all the restaurant meals we had since we had been there. I followed it loosely as far as measuring goes (was drinking wine while cooking with it) but I learned so much in technique from this! Thank you!!
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
Oh this sort of message just makes my day 🙂
I am so happy that you loved the recipe!!!
Thank you for taking the time to come back and comment.
Cx
Kris says
The seasoning here was perfect! Scallops always make me nervous when it comes to cooking them right, but this came out wonderfully well. The whole family loved it!
Giangi Townsend says
The scallops were excellent, thank you for your instructions very helpful. The creaminess of the pasta is out of this world. I loved every bite of this fantastic dish, thank you.
Elizabeth S says
This was so good... Made me feel like I was eating at a fancy restaurant. I paired mine with white wine and homemade focaccia. Will definitely make again.
Julian A says
It was easy to follow, and it came out great! I really loved how easy yet delicious the sauce turned out. Made it for Valentine’s Day dinner, but I did add fresh lobster to the dish and it was over the top yummy. Thank you!
Colleen Quinn says
Delish!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Colleen 🙂
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Adam says
Awesome!!
Claire McEwen says
So happy you enjoyed it Adam 🙂
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Addison says
This pasta was so hearty, flavorful and creamy! I loved the fresh flavor and creamy sauce!
Peter says
Your instructions were clear and easy to follow. I bought scallops from Costco and made this for my wife for Mother's Day. She was super impressed!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Peter 🙂
Sounds like a special mother's day for your wife!
Cx
Jenny says
This recipe was so delicious! I love how under each step you put the amount needed of the ingredients. I saved a bunch of time not having to scroll up and down a million times. I will be putting this into my rotation for sure.
Amy Casey says
I made this delicious dish for a special dinner with friends. The cream adds such a decadence to the dish.
Claire McEwen says
Oh this makes me smile so much 🙂
So happy you all liked it and thank you for taking the time to come back and comment
Cx