Golden, cheesy, and irresistibly garlicky, this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake brings together everything you love about shrimp scampi and comforting baked pasta in one bubbly dish. Juicy shrimp are tossed with garlic butter and lemon, layered with pasta, and baked with a generous topping of melted mozzarella and Parmesan for a crowd-pleasing dinner that feels both elegant and cozy.

It’s a fantastic weeknight meal but also special enough for guests or holidays. Best of all, it comes together quickly using everyday ingredients and minimal prep. Whether you’re craving seafood, pasta, or just something cheesy and satisfying, this bake is a winner.

What Kind of Shrimp Should I Use?

Medium to large shrimp (peeled and deveined) work best for this dish. You can use fresh or frozen—just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to avoid excess water in your bake. Tail-off shrimp are more convenient, but tail-on works if you’re aiming for presentation flair.

Ingredients for the Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
12 oz penne or ziti pasta
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
4 tbsp unsalted butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Cooking spray or oil for greasing baking dish

How To Make the Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Boil the pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Shrimp

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until just pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Lemon Sauce

In the same skillet, add butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and white wine (or broth). Simmer for a few minutes until slightly reduced.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the drained pasta into the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Stir in half the mozzarella and all of the Parmesan.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Nestle the shrimp into the pasta, then top with remaining mozzarella. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.

How to Serve and Store This Cheesy Shrimp Bake

This dish is best served hot straight from the oven with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and perhaps a squeeze of extra lemon. Pair it with garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a well-rounded meal.

To store leftovers, let the pasta bake cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?

Yes, but add them at the end just before baking to prevent overcooking.

What can I use instead of wine?

Chicken broth or vegetable broth works perfectly.

Can I freeze this pasta bake?

Yes, assemble it in a freezer-safe dish and cover tightly. Freeze before baking, then bake straight from frozen, adding 10-15 extra minutes.

How spicy is it?

The red pepper flakes add just a hint of heat. Feel free to omit them for a milder version.

What pasta shapes work best?

Short pasta like penne, ziti, or rigatoni are ideal for holding the sauce and cheese.

Can I add veggies?

Absolutely! Spinach, cherry tomatoes, or peas are great additions to this bake.

Want More Pasta Bake Ideas?

If you love this Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake, you’ll enjoy these other cozy, flavor-packed favorites:

Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts for a rich skillet dinner.
Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.
Cheese Shrimp Penne Pasta & Spinach for a creamy seafood spin.
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rotini for ultimate weeknight comfort.
Taco Spaghetti Casserole if you’re craving a Tex-Mex twist.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest seafood board for easy reference later.

And when you make it, tag me or drop a comment—did you add extra veggies or swap out the cheese? I’m always excited to see your takes on my recipes.

Need more daily dinner inspiration? I share new ideas all the time over on Pinterest @NinaDishes.

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake

Author: Nina Klatten
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This Shrimp Scampi Pasta Bake delivers the best of both worlds—zesty, buttery shrimp scampi and bubbly, cheesy baked pasta. Perfect for cozy dinners or entertaining guests, it’s a quick and satisfying dish loaded with garlic, lemon, and melty cheese.

Instructions

1. Boil the pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant. Add shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until just pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, add butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and white wine (or broth). Simmer for a few minutes until slightly reduced.

4. Add the drained pasta into the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Stir in half the mozzarella and all of the Parmesan.

5. Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Nestle the shrimp into the pasta, then top with remaining mozzarella. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

6. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.