Creamy Seafood Pasta
User Reviews
4.3
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
543 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Creamy Seafood Pasta
Description
The Creamy Seafood Pasta combines fusilli pasta with shrimp and scallops, cooked simply yet thoughtfully to preserve the seafood's delicate texture. The sauce is formed by melting cream cheese with garlic in the seafood's pan juices, then thinned with reserved pasta water to coat the noodles smoothly. High heat searing gives slight caramelization to the shrimp and scallops while keeping them tender inside. Fresh parsley provides a subtle herbaceous note, and lemon wedges bring brightness to the plate, lifting the richness of the cream cheese sauce. This pasta balances creamy and fresh elements well.
The pasta is cooked and drained with some water reserved to adjust the sauce's consistency. The seafood is cooked quickly in olive oil before adding garlic and cream cheese to develop a rich sauce without overwhelming the seafood's flavor. Tossing warm pasta into the sauce ensures full coverage. This dish can be served as a satisfying main course suitable for seafood lovers who appreciate a creamy twist on classic pasta. It pairs nicely with a green salad or steamed vegetables to complement the richness.
Careful attention to timing during cooking keeps the shrimp and scallops tender and juicy. The reserved pasta water helps achieve a creamy sauce that clings well to the fusilli. Garnishing with chopped parsley and lemon wedges not only adds flavor but also lends the plate an appealing color contrast. This sauce-thinning technique with pasta water is useful for maintaining texture and avoiding heaviness in cream-based sauces.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pasta uncooked, used fusilli variety
- ½ lb Shrimp raw, peeled and deveined
- ½ lb scallops
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 oz cream cheese Philadelphia brand
- salt
- black pepper
- parsley parsley chopped, lemon to garnish
- lemon parsley chopped, lemon to garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package instructions. Drain (reserving ½ cup of water) and set aside.
- Add olive oil to a large, non-stick skillet and cook the shrimp and scallops for about 4-5 minutes on high heat. While the juice still remains in the pan, add garlic and cream cheese and then reduce the heat to medium low. Cook for 3-4 minutes and add the reserved water from the noodles to help thin out the sauce. Stir and cook for 2 minutes until the sauce looks smooth.
- Add the pasta to the seafood and stir everything well. Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water carefully to adjust sauce thickness for a smooth consistency.
- Cook seafood on high heat briefly to maintain tenderness and avoid overcooking.
- Use fresh parsley and lemon just before serving to add brightness and freshness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 543 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 543kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 44g | 15% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 170mg | 57% |
| Sodium | 785mg | 33% |
| Potassium | 244mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 350IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 1.7mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.3
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