Easy Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe

Dive into our Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe, where luxurious comfort meets elegant simplicity. This restaurant-worthy dish combines perfectly seared shrimp and scallops with al dente pasta, all enveloped in a velvety white wine cream sauce. Fresh garlic, herbs, and aged Parmesan create layers of flavor that complement the seafood's natural sweetness, while our foolproof technique ensures restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.

Whether you're cooking for a special occasion or elevating your weeknight dinner game, this dish delivers the sophisticated flavors of fine Italian dining with surprising ease. The magic happens in about the time it takes to boil Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe, making this luxurious recipe both impressive and achievable for any home cook.

A bowl of creamy seafood pasta featuring tender shrimp and mussels served over wide ribbon pasta in a rich, flavorful sauce. Garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, this dish offers a luxurious and comforting seafood experience.

Why You'll Love This Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe

Simple yet impressive, this dish takes everyday ingredients and transforms them into a restaurant-caliber meal. The velvety sauce hugs each strand of Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe perfectly, while tender shrimp and scallops add that touch of luxury that makes dinner feel special. And the best part? You don't need to be a master chef to pull it off – just follow our straightforward steps for a dish that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end Italian kitchen.

The real magic happens when the seafood's natural sweetness meets our rich, garlicky cream sauce, creating those deep, satisfying flavors that make you want to lick your plate clean (we won't judge!). Plus, it all comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for both special occasions and those evenings when you want to treat yourself to something extraordinary without spending hours in the kitchen.

Whether you're cooking to impress a date, hosting a dinner party, or simply craving something delicious, this pasta delivers that perfect balance of elegance and comfort that'll have everyone asking for seconds – and the recipe!

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe Instructions
Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe
Equipment For Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe
Storage Instructions
Recipe Variations
Top Tip
Grandma's Magic Touch in Our Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe
FAQ
How did your Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe turn out?
Related
Pairing
Easy Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

the Pasta and Seafood:

1 pound fettuccine or linguine
1 pound mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, and mussels)
4 tablespoons olive oil
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, finely chopped
½ cup white wine (or seafood stock)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

A top-down view of essential ingredients for a creamy seafood pasta recipe, including raw shrimp, mussels, spaghetti, garlic, olive oil, white wine, salt, and pepper. These fresh and flavorful ingredients create a rich and indulgent seafood pasta dish.

the Cream Sauce:

2 cups heavy cream
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Red pepper flakes (optional)

A top-down view of rich and creamy sauce ingredients for a seafood pasta recipe, including heavy cream, butter, parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, lemon, red pepper flakes, and aromatic herbs. These ingredients create a flavorful and velvety sauce that pairs perfectly with shrimp and mussels in a seafood pasta dish.

Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe Instructions

Let's make this Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe step by step!

Prepare the Seafood:

Start with perfectly prepped seafood - clean those shrimp, give your mussels a good rinse (don't forget to remove those little beards!), and pat those scallops nice and dry. A quick season with salt and pepper, and you're ready for magic.

Cook the Pasta:

While your well-salted water comes to a boil, here's a pro tip: that pasta water is liquid gold! Save a cup before draining - it's your secret weapon for the perfect sauce consistency later.

Make the Cream Sauce:

This is where the magic happens! Let those garlic and shallots dance in olive oil until your kitchen smells amazing. Add wine and let it reduce - this builds incredible flavor. Once your cream and Parmesan join the party, you'll see that gorgeous sauce come together.

Cook the Seafood:

Now for the stars of the show! A bit of butter in the sauce creates the perfect environment for your seafood. Watch as the scallops turn golden, the shrimp pink up, and the mussels open to reveal their treasures.

Combine and Serve:

The grand finale! Toss everything together gently - you want each bite perfect. That reserved pasta water helps create that silky restaurant-style finish. Fresh parsley, bright lemon, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes (if you're feeling spicy) make everything sing.

Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe

Pat seafood dry before cooking for better searing
Don't overcook the pasta – it will continue cooking slightly in the sauce
If sauce becomes too thick, thin with reserved pasta water
Use fresh seafood for best results

Equipment For Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe

Large pasta pot
Heavy-bottom skillet or sauté pan
Colander
Sharp knife
Grater for cheese and lemon zest

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore the sauce's consistency.

Recipe Variations

Make it dairy-free by using coconut cream and dairy-free cheese
Swap pasta for zucchini noodles for a low-carb option
Try different seafood combinations like crab, lobster, or calamari
Add vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, or asparagus

Top Tip

The key to perfectly cooked seafood is timing – add each type according to cooking time. Scallops first, followed by shrimp and mussels.

Grandma's Magic Touch in Our Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe

The secret to this pasta's restaurant-quality texture lies in Grandma's time-tested technique: slowly incorporating room-temperature Parmesan while gently swirling the pan off heat. This method ensures the signature silky sauce that perfectly coats each strand of pasta. Her other treasured tip? Adding a subtle pinch of nutmeg and allowing the garlic-infused cream to rest briefly before introducing the seafood. These simple but crucial steps, passed down through generations of Italian kitchens, elevate this Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe from delicious to extraordinary.

Another grandma-approved secret? Adding a pinch of nutmeg and letting the garlic-infused cream sit for a few minutes before introducing the seafood. It's these little touches, passed down through generations in Italian kitchens, that make this recipe truly special. As Grandma always says, "Cooking isn't just about following steps - it's about putting your heart into every stir."

FAQ

What makes pasta more creamy?

The secret to creamy pasta lies in using starchy pasta water and proper technique. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining, then add it gradually to your sauce while stirring. The starch helps emulsify the sauce, creating a silky, creamy texture. Adding cream cheese, mascarpone, or a splash of heavy cream also enhances creaminess.

What kind of pasta is best for seafood pasta?

Long, thin pasta like linguine, spaghetti, or angel hair works best with seafood. These delicate noodles complement seafood without overpowering it and hold light sauces well. Linguine is particularly traditional for seafood pasta, as its flat shape catches both light and creamy sauces perfectly.

Do Italians add cheese to seafood pasta?

Traditionally, Italians don't add cheese to seafood pasta, believing it overpowers the delicate flavor of the seafood. However, some modern interpretations, particularly with creamy seafood sauces, do incorporate small amounts of Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano. It's ultimately a matter of personal preference.

What type of pasta is best for creamy pasta?

Shapes with ridges or curves like fettuccine, penne rigate, or rigatoni are ideal for creamy sauces. These shapes trap the sauce in their grooves and hollows, ensuring every bite is perfectly sauced. Wider noodles like fettuccine or pappardelle also provide more surface area for creamy sauces to cling to.

How did your Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe turn out?

This recipe is sure to impress with its perfect balance of succulent seafood, al dente pasta, and rich, garlicky cream sauce. If you're a fan of luxurious pasta dishes, be sure to try our Teriyaki Beef Recipe next – more indulgent pasta recipes that are sure to become family favorites!

Did you make this Creamy Seafood Pasta Recipe? We'd love to hear about your experience! Leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments.

Did you try different combinations of seafood or add a splash of white wine to the sauce? Your feedback not only helps others but also contributes to our growing community of home cooks. Don't forget to share a photo of your restaurant-worthy creation!

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