Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp & Scallops
Description
If you’re looking for a restaurant-quality seafood dinner that’s surprisingly easy to make at home, this Creamy Garlic Butter Shrimp & Scallops recipe is exactly what you need. Tender, juicy shrimp and perfectly seared scallops are coated in a rich garlic butter cream sauce infused with Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and a hint of lemon. Every bite is silky, buttery, and packed with incredible flavor.
This dish comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights, elegant date nights, or special family dinners. The secret is to sear the seafood quickly over high heat to develop a beautiful golden crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy. The creamy garlic sauce is simple yet luxurious, combining butter, garlic, cream, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning into a velvety sauce that pairs beautifully with seafood.
Serve it over pasta, fluffy mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or alongside warm crusty bread to soak up every drop of the delicious sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice for a bright finish. Once you try this recipe, you’ll understand why everyone asks for seconds—it truly tastes like something from a fine seafood restaurant but is easy enough for any home cook.
Ingredients
For the Seafood
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb (450g) sea scallops
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Pat the shrimp and scallops completely dry using paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the scallops in a single layer and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
Add the shrimp to the same skillet and cook for about 1–2 minutes per side until pink and just cooked through. Remove from the pan.
Reduce the heat to medium. Melt the butter in the same skillet and sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream and stir well. Add the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
Stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley.
Return the shrimp and scallops to the skillet. Gently spoon the creamy sauce over the seafood and cook for another 2 minutes until everything is heated through.
Serve immediately with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread. Garnish with extra parsley and freshly grated Parmesan.
Tips
- Pat the seafood dry before cooking for a perfect golden sear.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
- Fresh Parmesan melts much smoother than pre-shredded cheese.
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp and scallops, as they become rubbery.
- Add spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Finish with fresh lemon juice to brighten the creamy sauce.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings
4 servings
Nutrition (Approx. Per Serving)
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 39g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Cholesterol: 285mg
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fiber: 0g