Tender pan seared scallops served on top of angel hair pasta, drizzled with a vibrant creamy pesto sauce. A restaurant quality meal in minutes!
Creamy Pesto Pasta with Scallops is an elegant but easy weeknight meal. Perfect for dinner guests or just when you want something a little more fancy without the fuss!
What You’ll Need to make Creamy Pesto Pasta with Scallops
- Pasta – Angel hair pasta is a light pasta that balances nicely against the richness of the sauce. Thin spaghetti or regular spaghetti may be substituted.
- Scallops – Fresh or thawed from frozen.
- Pantry Spices – Salt & ground black pepper.
- Flour – We prefer to use all purpose flour for best results.
- Butter – We use regular salted butter, but unsalted butter may also be used.
- Heavy Cream – If you don’t have heavy cream, substitutions include half and half or evaporated milk in equal amounts.
- Basil Pesto – We make our own Basil Pesto but you can substitute jarred pesto for convenience.
- Capers – Briny and salty, these add both texture and a bright acidity to the sauce.
How to Make Creamy Pesto Pasta with Scallops
This versatile and satisfying pasta dish combines tender pan roasted scallops, a creamy bright basil pesto cream sauce, and everyday pasta to create the perfect weeknight or date night meal!
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions.
In the meantime, season the scallops with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper and dredge in flour.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add scallops and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side until slightly golden brown.
Remove to a plate or bowl and set aside.
Whisk the cream into the skillet.
Stir in pesto, capers, and remaining salt and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a bubble then reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Drain pasta and divide between four bowls.Top each with cooked scallops and then spoon the creamy pesto sauce over the top.
Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Other Weeknight Favorite Recipes You May Like
Weeknight Asian Dumpling Dinner – An easy and delicious casserole of dumplings and bok choy baked in a tasty sauce!
Simple Weeknight Meatloaf – Simple and easy comfort food that is a throwback to childhood!
Simple Baked Salmon with Green Goddess Sauce – flaky, lightly seasoned baked salmon with a vibrant, tangy dipping sauce.
Weeknight Pineapple Shrimp and Rice Bake – Flavorful pineapple chunks and tender shrimp on a bed of fluffy rice, drizzled with a quick and easy sweet island sauce.
Mom’s Easy Weeknight Chili – One of our family’s tried and true favorites, this is satisfying and ready in about 30 minutes.
Creamy Pesto Pasta with Scallops
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions.
- In the meantime, season the scallops with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper and dredge in flour.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add scallops and sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side until slightly golden brown.
- Remove to a plate or bowl and set aside.
- Whisk the cream into the skillet and then stir in pesto, capers, and remaining salt and pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a bubble then reduce heat and simmer until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Drain pasta and divide between four bowls. Top each with cooked scallops and then spoon the creamy pesto sauce over the top.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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