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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Using paper towels, meticulously blot scallops to eliminate excess moisture. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- 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.
- In the identical skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic. Saute until aromatic, approximately 30 seconds, preventing garlic from burning.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine, allowing liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors for 1-2 minutes.
- Incorporate heavy cream, briny capers, zesty red pepper flakes, and bright lemon juice. Simmer briefly to meld ingredients, creating a luxurious sauce.
- Add cooked spaghetti directly into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure even coating. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
- Reintroduce perfectly seared scallops into the skillet. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley.
- 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