30-Minute Garlic Butter Scallop Pasta with Lemon Zest
Indulge in a delightful culinary experience with this 30-Minute Garlic Butter Scallop Pasta with Lemon Zest. Featuring perfectly seared scallops paired with al dente pasta and a rich garlic butter sauce, this dish is elevated by the refreshing zing of lemon zest. Ideal for busy weeknights or special gatherings, it’s a quick yet impressive meal that will leave everyone asking for more.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb scallops (fresh or frozen)
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
- Pat dry scallops with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tbsp of butter. Add scallops in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add remaining butter and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Toss drained pasta into the skillet with garlic butter, adding reserved pasta water gradually until reaching desired consistency.
- Stir in lemon zest, parsley, and seared scallops. Adjust seasoning if needed before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (300g)
- Calories: 495
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 68mg