Sea Scallops with Lemon Garlic Angel Hair Pasta Recipe
A delightful and elegant seafood pasta dish featuring tender sea scallops sautéed in garlic butter and fresh herbs, served over delicate angel hair pasta with a touch of lemon juice and optional creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (16 ounce) package angel hair pasta
Sea Scallops and Sauce
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds sea scallops, rinsed and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the angel hair pasta and cook until al dente, about 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook scallops with herbs: Add the rinsed, dried scallops to the skillet along with the chopped fresh basil and parsley. Cook the scallops until they are firm and opaque, about 4 to 5 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Add lemon and seasoning: Lower the heat and stir in the fresh lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Optional cream sauce: If desired, stir in the heavy cream to thicken the sauce slightly and add richness.
- Toss pasta and scallops: Add the cooked angel hair pasta to the skillet with the scallops and gently toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce and herbs.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if you like for an extra savory touch.
Notes
- Do not overcook the scallops to keep them tender and juicy.
- Angel hair pasta cooks very quickly, so watch it closely to avoid overcooking.
- Fresh herbs like basil and parsley add brightness; feel free to adjust quantities based on preference.
- The heavy cream and Parmesan are optional but add a lovely creamy texture and flavor.
Keywords: sea scallops, angel hair pasta, garlic butter scallops, seafood pasta, Italian pasta recipe, easy scallop dinner