Saturday, January 20, 2024
HomeWhole FoodsStraightforward Scallop Pasta

Straightforward Scallop Pasta


This Straightforward Scallop Pasta is a sublime however easy at-home dinner that can have everybody impressed with the dish! This recipe options your selection of pasta topped with buttery pan-seared scallops and bacon tossed in a lightweight lemony sauce.

above image of a plate of spaghetti noodles topped with seared scallops and fresh basil next to a dish of fresh lemon wedges.

Straightforward Pan Seared Scallops with Noodles

This Straightforward Scallop Pasta is one in all my favourite meals to make! Whereas it embodies a ton of summer season flavors with lemon and basil, it additionally brings the consolation {that a} winter meal wants, so actually, this dish is ideal year-round.

I imply, what may very well be higher than a plate of noodles with seared scallops, diced bacon, lemony sauce, and topped with recent basil?

This dinner is elegant sufficient to serve as much as dinner friends but additionally simple sufficient that you could whip it up on any given weeknight.

It’s gluten-free, paleo, whole30 pleasant, and so tasty. Should you’re not cautious, you’ll be making this recipe weekly! (Would that actually be so unhealthy, although?)

closeup of a fork swirled in a plate of pasta topped with pan-seared scallops from the side.

Elements For This Scallop Pasta

  • Bacon – You’ll want 4 items of bacon, diced. And save the bacon fats…
  • Scallops – Search for giant, dry sea scallops for the perfect taste and texture. Dry sea scallops are bigger and firmer, and dry scallops obtain a greater texture when pan-seared.
  • Olive Oil – You’ll want only a little bit of olive oil to sauté the garlic and onion.
  • Aromatics – Sautéed garlic and onion create a scrumptious taste base for the sauce.
  • Broth – Hen, seafood, or vegetable broth will work.
  • Lemon Juice – Contemporary lemon juice supplies the freshness within the sauce.
  • Spices – We’re holding it easy with a mixture of salt, pepper, and purple pepper flakes.
  • Noodles – Serve your scallops and sauce over your selection of spiralized zucchini or squash, spaghetti squash, or your favourite gluten-free pasta.
  • Basil – A sprinkle of recent basil is the proper garnish and one of the best ways to spherical out the flavors.

Variations

  • Use any noodles you want! I maintain my meals gluten-free utilizing my favourite gluten-free pasta or lighter with vegetable noodles equivalent to zucchini or squash noodles, or spaghetti squash. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to spoon the seared scallops and sauce over any pasta of your selection!
  • Make it tacky. Give your scallops and pasta a tacky end with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
  • Add further veggies. Spinach, broccoli, grape tomatoes would all be fabulous additions to this pasta dish!

Tips on how to Make Pan Seared Scallops and Pasta

This scallop pasta actually couldn’t be easier! Right here’s a fast breakdown of the recipe:

  1. Cook dinner the scallops and bacon: First, pat dry your sea scallops (necessary for an amazing sear!), season generously with salt and pepper, then set them apart. In a big skillet, prepare dinner the bacon till crispy, then take away from the pan and drain all however 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease. Add the seasoned scallops into the identical skillet and sear for 3 minutes per facet. Take away from the pan and put aside.
  2. Make the sauce: Add the broth to the pan together with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and purple pepper flakes. Convey to a boil, decrease the warmth, then simmer till barely thickened.
  3. Mix and serve: To the sauce, add the pre-cooked gluten-free noodles or the veggie noodles of your selection, prepare dinner for a few minutes, then combine within the scallops and bacon. Toss to coat, garnish with recent basil, then serve.

What’s the Secret to Excellent Scallops?

There are a few issues you are able to do to just be sure you’re getting the very best texture and taste out of your scallops:

  • Pat them dry. Extra moisture can compromise that crispy sear. For the perfect outcomes, gently pat the scallops dry with a paper towel earlier than seasoning/cooking.
  • Season earlier than cooking. Coating the scallops in salt and pepper earlier than searing permits the flavors to soak into the meat.
  • Sear at excessive warmth. Excessive warmth is essential for the proper sear! Decrease warmth will create a soggier, softer texture.
closeup of sauce being drizzled over a seared scallop from a spoon.

Is It Higher to Cook dinner Scallops in Butter or Oil?

Whilst you can sear scallops in both butter or oil, I like to make use of oil for this recipe—particularly, the leftover bacon grease!

As soon as the bacon is cooked, you’ll discard all however one tablespoon of the grease and use that to sear the scallops. This provides tons of taste and offers the outside of the scallops that completely crispy crust.

How Do You Cook dinner Scallops So They Are Not Rubbery?

In case your scallops come out rubbery, then that most likely means they’re over-cooked!

The scallops want proper round 3 minutes per facet to prepare dinner completely. As soon as they’re seared, make sure you take away them from the pan straight away to keep away from over-cooking!

overhead of a plate of seared scallops with pasta.

Ideas and Notes

  • Use forged iron. Whereas this isn’t obligatory, forged iron skillets are king relating to searing scallops. If in case you have one, go along with that!
  • Don’t interrupt the sear. One of the best ways to attain the proper sear is to go away the scallop alone till the crust varieties. Should you attempt to transfer the scallop and it doesn’t budge, then it’s not able to be flipped. If it strikes simply, then the crust is fashioned, and it may be flipped.
  • You’ll know the scallops are carried out when the sides are golden-brown and the middle is translucent.
  • Contemporary or frozen will work! If you will discover recent scallops, nice. If not, frozen works nice, too; you will want to thaw them first.
  • Forgot to thaw prematurely? Don’t fear. You’ll be able to thaw them shortly and simply. Place the frozen scallops right into a ziplock bag, then place the ziplock bag right into a bowl of cool water. Allow them to sit for 20-Half-hour, then rinse and pat dry earlier than cooking.

What Does Scallops Pair Nicely With?

A recent and stylish meal like this one deserves a scrumptious pairing! Listed here are a few of my favourite sides to take pleasure in alongside this scallop pasta:

closeup of a fork swirled in a plate of pasta topped with pan-seared scallops from the side.

Tips on how to Retailer

This scallop pasta is greatest served straight away! Should you do have leftovers, they are often saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 1-2 days.

To reheat, merely heat on low on the range with a splash of broth to moisten if wanted.

Extra Seafood Recipes You’ll Love

Pin this recipe to put it aside for later!

Pin it!
above image of a plate of spaghetti noodles topped with seared scallops and fresh basil.
  • 4 items of bacon diced
  • 1 lb. recent scallops
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup hen or seafood broth
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon nice sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly floor pepper extra to style
  • pinch purple pepper flakes
  • 4 cups cooked gluten-free spaghetti pasta or vegetable noodles (spaghetti squash, spiralized zucchini or summer season squash)
  • 1 cup chopped recent basil
  • Season scallops with salt and pepper and put aside.

  • Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth and prepare dinner bacon till crispy. Take away bacon put aside to empty. Drain all grease however 1 tablespoon.

  • Add in scallops and sear for 3 minutes on all sides. As soon as seared, take away from pan.

  • Warmth oil within the now-empty skillet and add garlic and onion. Cook dinner till starting to melt, about 5-7 minutes.

  • To the pan add broth, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and purple pepper flakes. Convey as much as a boil after which decrease the warmth. Let simmer for five minutes, till broth thickens barely and flavors meld collectively. Add within the veggie noodles, and let prepare dinner for 2-3 minutes. Add again in scallops and bacon, and toss to coat, and prepare dinner till heated by means of.

  • Add in basil, and style and regulate seasoning.

  • Serve sizzling. This scallop pasta is greatest served straight away! Should you do have leftovers, they are often saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for 1-2 days. To reheat, merely heat on low on the range with a splash of broth to moisten if wanted.

  • Variations:
    • Use any noodles you want! I maintain my meals gluten-free utilizing my favourite gluten-free pasta or lighter with vegetable noodles equivalent to zucchini or squash noodles, or spaghetti squash. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to spoon the seared scallops and sauce over any pasta of your selection!
    • Add further veggies. Spinach, broccoli, grape tomatoes would all be fabulous additions to this pasta dish!
    • Make it tacky. Give your scallops and pasta a tacky end with a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
    • Tip 1: Should you attempt to transfer the scallop and it doesn’t budge, then it’s not able to be flipped.
    • Tip 2: If it strikes simply, then the crust is fashioned, and it may be flipped.
    • Contemporary or frozen will work! If you will discover recent scallops, nice. If not, frozen works nice, too; you will want to thaw them first.
    • Forgot to thaw prematurely? Don’t fear. You’ll be able to thaw them shortly and simply. Place the frozen scallops right into a ziplock bag, then place the ziplock bag right into a bowl of cool water. Allow them to sit for 20-Half-hour, then rinse and pat dry earlier than cooking.

Energy: 568kcalCarbohydrates: 19.4gProtein: 55.1gFats: 29.8gSaturated Fats: 12.9gLdl cholesterol: 147mgSodium: 1289mgFiber: 3.4gSugar: 8.4g

 


RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments