Quick & Zesty Scallop Spaghetti in Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce with Capers Recipe

My culinary adventures with scallop spaghetti always spark pure kitchen excitement.

Delicate seafood meets silky pasta in a dreamy combination.

Buttery garlic sauce brings incredible depth to each twirled forkful.

capers add surprising little bursts of tangy brightness against soft marine textures.

Italian coastal influences shine through this elegant dish.

Seasonal ingredients merge into something magically simple yet sophisticated.

Each bite promises a mini vacation to Mediterranean shores.

Let me walk you through creating this restaurant-worthy meal at home.

What Makes This Scallop Spaghetti Stand Out

• Craft a Gourmet Meal: Transform ordinary ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that impresses with minimal culinary skills required.
• Speedy Sophistication: Prepare a luxurious seafood pasta in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks craving a delectable dinner.
• Flavor Explosion: Combine rich butter sauce, tangy capers, and delicate scallops for a mouthwatering experience that tantalizes every taste bud.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this simple skillet recipe that creates a complete meal using just a single cooking vessel.

Ingredients for Scallop Spaghetti in Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce with Capers

• Spaghetti: A classic pasta that provides the perfect base for this creamy seafood dish.
• Scallops: Fresh, tender seafood that brings a delicate and luxurious flavor to the meal.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty finish to the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and velvety sauce that coats the pasta.

• Garlic, Parsley, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Black Pepper: These ingredients provide depth, freshness, and a subtle kick of heat to enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Butter, Olive Oil, White Wine (Optional), Lemon Juice, Capers: These components work together to create a complex, tangy, and creamy sauce that elevates the scallops and pasta.

How to Make Creamy Scallop Spaghetti

Step 1: Boil Delicious Spaghetti

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt to enhance the pasta’s flavor.

Drop the spaghetti into the boiling water and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Once cooked, carefully drain the pasta but keep a little pasta water on the side for later magic.

Step 2: Prepare Succulent Scallops

Take your fresh scallops and gently pat them dry using a paper towel. Sprinkle some salt and freshly ground black pepper over each scallop to wake up their natural flavors.

Step 3: Sear Scallops to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the seasoned scallops into the hot pan.

Let them sizzle and develop a beautiful golden-brown crust for 2-3 minutes on each side. Once they’re beautifully caramelized, remove them from the pan and set aside.

Step 4: Create Aromatic Garlic Butter Base

In the same skillet where you cooked the scallops, melt butter until it’s bubbling. Toss in minced garlic and let it dance around for about 30 seconds, releasing its incredible aroma.

Step 5: Enhance Sauce with White Wine

Pour in white wine and let it simmer, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the wine to reduce for 1-2 minutes, concentrating its flavors.

Step 6: Build Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Capers
• Red pepper flakes
• Fresh lemon juice

Let the sauce simmer and come together for about a minute, creating a luxurious base.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked spaghetti into the skillet, tossing it gently to coat every strand with the creamy sauce.

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to create the perfect consistency.

Step 8: Reunite Scallops with Pasta

Gently place the seared scallops back into the pan.

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh parsley

Step 9: Serve and Savor

Transfer the scallop spaghetti to warm plates immediately. The dish is best enjoyed hot, with all its creamy, marine-inspired flavors singing together.

Success Tips for Scallop Pasta Sauce

• Use a paper towel to remove excess moisture, ensuring a perfect golden-brown sear without steaming.
• Cook spaghetti just until al dente, reserving some pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce.
• Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to achieve a beautiful caramelized crust on scallops.
• Add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve the ideal sauce thickness and help ingredients cling to the pasta.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley just before serving to add brightness and a pop of color to the dish.

Twist This Scallop Pasta a New Way

• Shrimp Swap: Replace scallops with large shrimp for a similar seafood experience, maintaining the creamy garlic sauce and capers.
• Vegetarian Version: Substitute scallops with pan-seared king oyster mushrooms, sliced to mimic scallop texture and absorb the rich sauce.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta instead of traditional spaghetti, keeping all other ingredients the same for a low-carb alternative.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use olive oil instead of butter to create a lighter, allergy-friendly version of the original recipe.

Delicious Pairings for Scallop Pasta

Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the delicate scallops and cuts through the creamy sauce with bright acidity.

Serve warm, rustic bread to soak up the luxurious white butter sauce, adding a delightful textural contrast to the tender scallops and pasta.

Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dish, providing a tangy and peppery counterpoint to the creamy spaghetti.

Opt for a lemon-infused sparkling water to cleanse the palate between bites, highlighting the seafood’s delicate flavor and the sauce’s richness.

How to Store This Pasta Dish

• Transfer leftover scallop spaghetti to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Cover tightly to prevent moisture loss and prevent the seafood from absorbing other food odors.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until warmed through. Be careful not to overcook the scallops, which can become tough and rubbery.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to revive the sauce's consistency. Gently stir to prevent sticking and distribute heat evenly.

FAQs

• Are scallops difficult to cook?

Scallops are actually quick and easy to cook. The key is to pat them dry, season them, and sear them quickly over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side to get a golden-brown crust without overcooking.

• Can I substitute the white wine?

Yes, you can use chicken broth or seafood stock as an alternative if you prefer not to use wine. These substitutes will still provide depth of flavor to the sauce.

• How do I know when scallops are perfectly cooked?

Perfectly cooked scallops will have a golden-brown crust on the outside and remain tender and slightly translucent in the center. They should feel firm but not rubbery when touched.

Scallop Spaghetti In Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce With Capers Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Silky spaghetti with succulent scallops dances in a luxurious white garlic butter sauce, elevating classic Italian coastal cuisine. Capers add a zesty spark, creating a restaurant-worthy dish you can effortlessly craft at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 10 large sea scallops

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti

Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons capers, drained
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare a pot of generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook spaghetti until perfectly tender yet firm, approximately 8-9 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta liquid.
2. Using paper towels, meticulously blot scallops to eliminate excess moisture. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
3. Select a heavy-bottomed skillet and warm olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully place scallops, allowing them to develop a golden-brown crust, roughly 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a warm plate.
4. In the identical skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic. Saute until aromatic, approximately 30 seconds, preventing garlic from burning.
5. Deglaze the pan with white wine, allowing liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors for 1-2 minutes.
6. Incorporate heavy cream, briny capers, zesty red pepper flakes, and bright lemon juice. Simmer briefly to meld ingredients, creating a luxurious sauce.
7. Add cooked spaghetti directly into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure even coating. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
8. Reintroduce perfectly seared scallops into the skillet. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley.
9. Plate immediately while piping hot, serving directly from the skillet for maximum flavor and presentation.

Notes

• Achieve perfectly seared scallops by ensuring they are completely dry before cooking, preventing steaming and promoting a golden-brown crust.
• Avoid overcooking scallops by watching for a golden-brown exterior and removing them from heat when they’re slightly translucent in the center.
• Control sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water, creating a silky smooth texture that clings beautifully to the spaghetti.
• Transform this dish into a gluten-free option by substituting regular spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 645 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg