Description
This Garlic Shrimp Pasta Bake is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish that combines succulent shrimp with tender pasta baked in a rich garlic cheese sauce. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, it blends sautéed shrimp and aromatic garlic with a velvety cheese sauce, all finished in the oven to achieve a bubbly, golden top.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Pasta
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 pound pasta (any type)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the pasta dish later.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to prevent overcooking during the baking stage.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and are cooked through. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant, which will build the base flavor for the sauce.
- Make Roux: Stir in the flour into the onion and garlic mixture and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Prepare Sauce: Gradually whisk in the milk to create a smooth sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in the shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, salt, and black pepper, mixing until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is well combined.
- Combine Pasta and Shrimp: Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back into the skillet with the cheese sauce. Stir gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, smoothing out the top for even baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and the dish is heated through.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot. Enjoy your comforting garlic shrimp pasta bake!
Notes
- You can use any type of pasta you prefer, such as penne, fusilli, or rotini.
- For a creamier texture, you can substitute half of the milk with heavy cream.
- To add more flavor, consider sprinkling extra Parmesan or breadcrumbs on top before baking.
- Make sure not to overcook the shrimp during sautéing to keep them tender and juicy.
- This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat thoroughly before serving.
