Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce is a luxurious yet comforting dish that brings together tender seafood, perfectly cooked pasta, and a silky, flavorful cream-based sauce. Inspired by classic Italian coastal cuisine, this dish balances richness with freshness, allowing the natural sweetness of seafood to shine through while being enhanced by garlic, herbs, and cream.
Whether served for a romantic dinner, a family celebration, or a cozy weekend meal, this pasta feels indulgent and special without being overly complicated. It’s the kind of recipe that transforms a simple dinner into an unforgettable dining experience.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it combines elegance with ease. The creamy sauce is deeply satisfying, yet light enough to let the seafood remain the star. Shrimp, scallops, or mussels cook quickly, making this dish ideal when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.
It’s also incredibly versatile—you can customize the seafood, pasta shape, and seasoning to suit your taste or what you have on hand.
Why This Is a Must-Try Dish
- Restaurant-quality meal made at home
- Rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced
- Quick cooking seafood keeps preparation simple
- Ideal for special occasions or weeknight indulgence
- Customizable with different seafood and flavors
Once you try Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce, it’s sure to become a favorite in your pasta rotation.
Recipe Overview
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian / Italian-American
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: Approximately 580 calories per serving
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 400 g pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
- Salt for boiling water
For the Seafood
- 200 g shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 150 g scallops or calamari rings
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Cooking Directions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- Season seafood lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant.
- Add seafood and cook briefly until just done.
- Remove seafood and set aside.
- Deglaze pan with white wine and reduce slightly.
- Stir in cream, Parmesan, seasoning, and lemon juice.
- Return seafood to sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce, adding pasta water if needed.
Step-by-Step Preparation Method
- Prepare Ingredients: Clean seafood and mince garlic.
- Cook Pasta: Boil until al dente and reserve pasta water.
- Cook Seafood: Sauté quickly and remove to prevent overcooking.
- Make Sauce Base: Cook garlic in butter and oil.
- Deglaze: Add wine and simmer briefly.
- Cream Sauce: Stir in cream, cheese, and seasoning.
- Combine: Return seafood and add pasta.
- Finish: Adjust seasoning and garnish with parsley.
How to Serve Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce
- Serve hot with crusty garlic bread
- Pair with a light green salad
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan
- Serve with lemon wedges for brightness
Recipe Tips
- Use fresh seafood for best flavor
- Don’t overcook seafood—it cooks very fast
- Reserve pasta water for a silky sauce
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for smoother sauce
Variations (Detailed)
Mixed Seafood Pasta
Add mussels or clams for a seafood medley.
Tomato Cream Seafood Pasta
Stir in ½ cup crushed tomatoes for color and tang.
Spicy Cream Sauce
Increase red pepper flakes or add chili paste.
Garlic Butter Seafood Pasta
Reduce cream and add extra butter for richness.
Gluten-Free Option
Use gluten-free pasta without changing the sauce.
Freezing and Storage
Refrigerator
- Store leftovers in an airtight container
- Keeps well for 2–3 days
Freezer
- Not recommended due to cream sauce separation
Reheating
- Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of milk or cream
Special Equipment Needed
- Large pot for pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Colander
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Conclusion
Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce is the perfect blend of comfort and elegance. With tender seafood, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish delivers rich flavor in every bite. It’s easy enough for a weeknight yet special enough for entertaining, making it a must-have recipe for seafood and pasta lovers alike.
Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce
Seafood Pasta with Cream Sauce is a luxurious yet comforting dish that brings together tender seafood, perfectly cooked pasta, and a silky, flavorful cream-based sauce.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
For the Seafood
For the Cream Sauce
Instructions
-
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
-
Season seafood lightly with salt and pepper.
-
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
-
Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant.
-
Add seafood and cook briefly until just done.
-
Remove seafood and set aside.
-
Deglaze pan with white wine and reduce slightly.
-
Stir in cream, Parmesan, seasoning, and lemon juice.
-
Return seafood to sauce.
-
Toss pasta with sauce, adding pasta water if needed.
