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, 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!
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.1¼lb/560g raw 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.1lb/450g dried pasta 1 tablespoon salt)
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.1 tablespoon olive oil
Season the scallops with salt. Then carefully and quickly add the scallops to the frying pan in a single layer.1¼lb/560g raw scallops salt
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.
Add the butter to the same pan, scraping up any bits left from the scallops.2 tablespoons butter
Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.4 minced 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 white wine 1½ cups 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 dill 1 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 (to taste) black pepper (to taste)
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.