This Seared Scallop Pasta with Creamy Bacon Sauce is such an easy elegant seafood recipe. We all know that pasta carbonara is pure comfort food, but when you add shellfish to your creamy pasta noodles you turn up the notch on dinner!
The sauce is a wonderful mixture of white wine, cream, onions, and bacon. All mixed through spaghetti noodles and then topped with perfectly seared scallops. You can use large scallops or the smaller bay scallops here, both work and both will be delicious.
You might be forgiven for thinking that I am turning Sprinkles and Sprouts into a Pasta Blog! There has been a new pasta recipe every week for at least the last month!
I do love pasta! And I think you guys do too because pasta recipes seem to be the most popular recipes here on Sprinkles and Sprouts!
You all love my Garlic Butter Pasta with Garlic Chicken, and my Shrimp Chorizo Pasta that only went live last week saw so much love as soon as it was published that it made it into Readers Favorites within the first few days!
I am not upset by this as pasta is my true love when it comes to food. I have a fair few food crushes and the odd food affair but I always come back to my sweetheart.
I actually tested so many pasta recipes last week that I ran out of spaghetti! For a girl who buys it by the boatload, this was perturbing. Don’t forget I once crowned myself the Queen of Pasta!
Anyway, enough from me and my pasta addiction, let’s get down to the cooking.
How to Make Scallop Pasta with Creamy Bacon Sauce
There are three elements to this dish:
- The delicious Creamy Bacon Sauce
- The perfectly cooked (and seasoned) Pasta
- The Amazing Pan Seared Scallops.
How to make a Creamy Bacon Sauce for Pasta.
Start by frying off the bacon to get it good and crispy. Crispy is good, crispy adds flavor, texture and it means the bacon releases all that wonderful bacon grease. Which we need to fry off the onions. Because let’s face it, onions cooked in bacon grease are just better!
So use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon, then fry off a chopped onion – brown, white, red…it matters not at all!
Add a little garlic and deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine.
Don’t worry, if you avoid wine in your diet then you can use vegetable/chicken/seafood broth (stock).
After this, the bacon is returned to the pan along with some heavy cream, then everything is simmered gently. SOOOO creamy, delicious and rich!
Perfectly cooked and seasoned Pasta
Everyone knows how to cook pasta….Boil water, add the pasta, cook, drain done!
BUT I have a few tips for you that will make your pasta next level amazing.
- Make sure you salt the water generously. The Italians say pasta cooking water should be as salty as the sea! It makes sense when the water is moving into the dried pasta, it will take the salt with it, seasoning the whole of the piece of pasta, making it delicious. Such a simple trick, but one people forget, or they use just a pinch of salt, which isn’t enough. We are talking more like 1 tbsp of salt for a quart of water, which is enough for a pound of pasta!
- Stir your pasta when you first add it to the pan to separate the strands and ensure your pasta doesn’t stick together.
- Do not add oil to the pasta water, it stops the sauce sticking and you end up with a bowl of pasta sitting in a pile of sauce!! No, we want the sauce to coat the pasta and make every mouthful taste good.
- Before you drain your pasta use a large measuring cup to take out at least 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water. This is liquid gold. It contains starch, which when added to a pasta sauce, helps the sauce thicken and stick to the pasta. Plus because we seasoned our water correctly, the starchy water doesn’t stop the sauce tasting good.
Amazing Pan Seared Scallops
The perfect seared scallop should have a crisp golden brown crust and be soft and tender in the middle. I am convinced that the people who don’t like scallops have been served rubber ice hockey pucks!
Every scallop recipe I have on here goes back to my favorite method for cooking scallops; one I learned from Gorden Ramsey. And I can tell you I am not going to argue with him! You can read my in-depth top tips for “How to Perfectly Pan Sear Scallops” here, but for a quick rundown here are my quick tips.
- Start with very dry scallops.
- Salt the scallops just before you add them to the frying pan.
- Once you add the scallops to the pan, don’t touch them.
- Add the scallops to the pan in an ordered pattern, to reduce the risk of overcooking your scallops.
If you are using the smaller bay scallops then they will need less cooking time.
Finish the dish
Once you have your elements, putting together the dish is simple.
Add the pasta to the creamy sauce, stir well and thin with around 1/4 cup of pasta water, adding more water until the sauce is clinging perfectly to the pasta.
Add the seared scallops to the top, season with black pepper, lemon zest and maybe a few chopped herbs. Serve and enjoy.
Fun Scallop Fact.
Scallops can produce pearls, but they lack the shine and luster of those that oysters produce.
What to serve with Scallop Pasta
This pasta is so delicious and saucy a side of ciabatta bread would be perfect here. But if you want to serve something a little healthy then some steamed asparagus or broccoli rabe work so well with scallops and bacon.
But what doesn’t work well with bacon???
Ice cream that’s what….although maple ice cream with crispy bacon? YUM!!!
Okay, I’ll stick with my statement that everything works with bacon!
Which Wine to serve with Seared Scallop Pasta
The sweet mild flavor of scallops needs something acidic enough to balance them, but nothing too bold or it will dull the flavor of the scallops.
With the addition of cream and bacon, something like a Sancerre or a chardonnay would be perfect. You could also try a French rose. And of course, champagne or prosecco is always a great choice with seafood!
If you are looking for other pasta recipes you might like to try these:
- Shrimp Chorizo Pasta
- Roasted Cauliflower Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce
- Garlic Butter Pasta with Garlic Chicken (for garlic LOVERS)
- Pasta with Roasted Fennel
- Creamy Saffron and Shrimp Pasta
- Pork Stroganoff with Buttered Noodles
- Pasta with Chicken Broth
- See ALL 40+ Pasta Recipes on Sprinkles and Sprouts
For more scallop recipes have a look at there:
- Seared Scallops with Paprika Garlic Butter Sauce
- Seared Scallops with Cauliflower Puree
- Seared Scallops with Saffron Cream Sauce
Enjoy x
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Pan Seared Scallop Pasta with Creamy Bacon Sauce
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 small onion – see note 1
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/3 cup white wine – see note 2
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- salt and black pepper
- 1 lemon
- fresh parsley – for garnish
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 12 scallops
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Chop the bacon into small pieces.
- Peel and chop the onion and garlic and set to one side for later.
- Place a skillet over a medium flame, add the oil and cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the pan, leaving the bacon grease behind.
- Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook over a medium heat until softened. Add in the garlic and fry gently for 30 seconds before pouring in the white wine (or stock). Cook until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Reduce the heat and add in the heavy cream and half of the cooked bacon. Bring to a low simmer and cook gently for 5 minutes to thicken, then keep warm over a very low heat.
- Whilst the sauce is simmering cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 1 minute less than the packet suggests.
- Before draining the pasta reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water then drain the pasta and add it to the cream sauce along with 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Stir well to coat the pasta, adding more cooking water as required. Then set to one side until the scallops are cooked. (You may need extra cooking water before you serve)
- Ensure the scallops are dry by patting them with paper towel to remove any moisture. Then leave them to sit on a sheet of paper towel.
- Place a heavy non-stick fry pan over a medium high heat and add the oil. Let the oil get smoking hot.
- Season the scallops lightly with salt. Then carefully and quickly add the scallops to the fry pan. Do them individually starting at 12 o’clock and working around the outside of the pan.
- Cook the scallops for 90 seconds on one side.
- Turn the heat off under the pan and add the butter.
- Use tongs to gently turn each scallop over into the sizzling butter, again starting at 12 o’clock and working around in the same order you added the scallops. (see note 3)
- Once the butter has stopped sizzling, give the pasta a stir, add in the remaining bacon, adding more cooking water if needed, then serve the pasta with 3 scallops on top.
- Add lemon zest to the top and a small spritz of lemon juice.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and black pepper then serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use a brown onion, red onion or white onion here.
- If you don’t drink wine or use it in your cooking then replace this with broth/stock – vegetable, chicken or seafood broth/stock is fine.
- Adding the scallops to the pan in order means you can turn them in order and don’t end up with an overcooked scallop or an undercooked scallop.
Nutrition
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Corinne says
I made this for dinner tonight – it was SO good! Thank you so much for an easy, delicious recipe to use my frozen scallops. I did add some red pepper flakes and grated parmesan to the sauce. Thanks again!
Claire McEwen says
You are welcome Corinne, I am so pleased you enjoyed it 🙂
The red pepper flakes and parmesan sound like perfect additions to me!
Cx
AAlexis says
My bf And I made this tonight for dinner. He had two extra helpings of pasta!
I used chicken broth, I also substituted the cream with milk and corn starch. For two people this recipe was a lot so I also halved it. There is just enough for one or two leftover meals.
Scallops tasted great. Paired it with broccoli.
Claire McEwen says
Oh I am so pleased you enjoyed it 🙂
Corn starch and milk is a great option if you don’t have cream, or if you want lower calories 🙂
Thank you for coming back to comment.
Cx
Jenna says
OMG this was toooooo good 😍 it was my first time cooking scallops myself so I was a little nervous. My husband said, “I don’t want to knock anything else you’ve cooked but this is another level”
Thank you!!!
Claire McEwen says
Hi Jenna!
Wow!! Thank you so much! I am so glad the recipe was helpful.
Aren’t scallops just the best! (Just wish they weren’t quite so pricy!)
Cx
Lisa says
I made this tonight with very expensive U10 scallops. I followed the directions to a T. When tasting it it did not really have a lot of flavor. I added additional garlic, wine and cream additional salt pepper and red pepper flakes. The sauce even though I saved 3 cups of the pasta water was dry and I believe adding it watered down any flavor It might have had. I really wanted to like this and my husband who did not like scallops I thought this would change him, I hate to say he was right sorry, it just lacked to me real flavor. I am a seasoned cook and was seriously disappointed just needed something else to take it to a yum level, just wasn’t there.
Claire McEwen says
Hi Lisa,
I am so sorry you didn’t enjoy this as I know scallops are not a cheap protein!!!
The only two things I can think of that would have reduced the flavor is the bacon and the amount of salt on the scallops and in the pasta water.
The 6 slices of bacon (wondering if my slices were bigger than yours) should be fried until it is nice and crispy so it adds lots of flavor to the sauce. And the pasta water wants to be really well seasoned. I like to add 1 1/2 tablespoons of salt to my pasta (although I usually recommend people start with 1 tbsp as I do like salty pasta) Adding some of that salty pasta water should have helped with the flavor of the sauce.
I wonder if perhaps the sauce reduced too much, that would explain why it was dry, but this should have intensified the flavor so adding extra water shouldn’t have diluted it too much.
Again I am so sorry that you didn’t enjoy the dish, it is a dish that gets great comments (here and on Pinterest) so I am upset that it didn’t work out how you hoped.
Claire x
Susan Savard says
I never comment but OHHHH MYYYYY GAAAWWWWD! I made this.
I questioned your saving the cruddy water. I doubted dumping it back in because it sounded sketchy. I did it anyways.
Why did I doubt you? Where has this level of hand-holding been my entire cooking career?!?!?
If I saw you on the street, I’d kiss you right on the mouth!!!!! My husband licked his plate—technically, he licked it after each helping. 😂
Your notes are perfection—this is the epitome of not only a good recipe but also PHENOMENAL directions!!!! Much love and many, many thanks!!!!
Claire McEwen says
Susan!!!
Your comment made me laugh, smile and feel genuine foodie joy!
Thank you for taking the time to comment and for all the lovely things you said.
It literally makes my heart sing to know the recipe was a hit for you. I am super glad you found my blog and that other people (besides myself) lick the plate clean….although don’t tell my kids that I applaud that…otherwise they will start doing it at school! 😉
Thank you again for making my day!
Cx
p.s cruddy water 😂😂😂
p.p.s it makes so much difference doesn’t it!
Penny says
Made this tonight and it was beyond delicious! Thank you!
Claire McEwen says
Oh Penny! That is the best praise!
So pleased you enjoyed it 🙂
Cx
Teresa says
I just made this 30 mins ago for my family and it was a hit!! I added red pepper flakes as well – thank you for the amazing recipe!
Claire McEwen says
Oh I am so pleased the family enjoyed it Teresa!
I think a pinch of red pepper flakes sounds a great addition as well.
Thank you for coming back to comment 🙂
Cx
Sophie says
I absolutely loved this recipe! I’m usually a little nervous to make scallops but they came out so good!
Claire McEwen says
Oh Sophie! That makes me so happy. I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Cx
Taryn says
Hi there! I’m going to try this tonight and I’m really excited about it! I just have one question, is it ok to use frozen scallops or is it best to use fresh scallops?
Claire McEwen says
I have made it with both fresh and frozen scallops and I think the fresh has a slight edge (because it is easier to get them very dry) but I always keep frozen scallops in the deep freeze so they are usually my first choice.
You can buy ‘Wet Scallops’ or ‘Dry Scallops’. I always recommend buying Dry Scallops as they are better quality.
Wet scallops are treated with a solution of water and sodium tripolyphosphate. This is used to preserves them when they are harvested at sea. But it also means they take on water. So when you cook them, they will give off water. Making it harder to get a golden crust and also meaning they will shrink.
If you can only find wet scallops then you can soak them in a solution of 1 quart of cold water with 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of salt for 25-30 minutes. This will help to firm up the wet scallop.
Hope that helps.
But whether you have fresh or frozen the key is to make sure the scallops are really dry before you cook them. So pat them dry several times with kitchen paper. This will give you the best chance at getting the nice golden crust.
Hope that is all helpful.
Enjoy your pasta dinner and a happy new year
Cx
Hannah says
Hey this sounds delicious but as I was reading the instructions it says only add half the bacon with the heavy cream. When do you add the other half of the bacon?
Claire McEwen says
The second half gets added just before you serve. This helps to keep it crispy.
I have updated the recipe card to make that clear 😀 😀
Hope you enjoy the dish Cx
molly says
This looks so tasty! I will definitely need to try it soon.
Claire McEwen says
I do hope you enjoy them Molly 😀
Dorothy Dunton says
Hi Claire! I am drooling on my computer looking at this dish! I absolutely love seared scallops and so many people do not know how to cook them. And bacon makes everything better! Have you ever made chocolate chip cookies using bacon grease? SO good!
Claire McEwen says
Oh My Goodness!!!!! Chocolate chip cookies with bacon grease????? I am off to google that immediately! I need those in my life!
Scallops are possibly my favorite seafood…maybe 😉
Allison says
The perfect meal! One I will come back to again and again. Thanks for sharing!
Claire McEwen says
I am so happy you enjoyed it Allison, pasta and scallops is one of my favorite combinations 😀
Marjory says
I adore this recipe. It’s exactly what I would order if I went out to a restaurant, but it’s so easy to make at home. Definite keeper!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Marjory. That is exactly what I love about it too! Scallops are so often left as restaurant food, but they are great for dinner at home too 😀