Scallop Recipe with Cream Sauce

Easy scallop recipe with a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce is served over a bed of pasta. These scallops are seared until there are perfectly cooked with a golden crust and then, cook the sauce in the same pan and toss it with your favorite pasta.

While many people may find it intimidating to cook scallops, most absolutely love eating them! Enjoying the lightly sweet flavor and delicate texture are well worth learning to cook them at home. In fact, they are incredibly easy to prepare and only require a few minutes in a pan.

Although scallops cost more on average than a lot of other seafood, the cost of buying them and cooking at home is way less than at the restaurants. You will need just a few other pantry staples to turn them into a luxurious and delicious meal.

Pasta is a perfect pairing for this creamy scallops recipe because the sauce is very close to an Alfredo sauce. It’s like a Scallops Alfredo but with a bright addition of garlic. Don’t forget to finish it with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese!

Scallop Recipe Ingredients

If you’ve never purchased this type of seafood before, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what to get. Not only are there different sizes to choose from, but each type may be packaged and sold differently, and some are soaked in a chemical solution. 

You can find more information here explaining what all of this means and what to look for at the seafood counter. In short, you want to get sea scallops, they are larger, and ask if they are “dry.”

“Dry” means that the scallops were not soaked in a chemical solution as a preservation method. Dry scallops are healthier and will sear much better without the excess liquid.

Cream Sauce For Scallops

This sauce is amazing, it’s just like a quick Alfredo sauce but with garlic added.

• Garlic – I always recommend using freshly pressed garlic since this scallop recipe is so simple and you really want those flavors to come through. Minced garlic from a jar tends to have an older and at times unpleasant flavor.
  
• Stock – Chicken stock will give you good flavor, but you can also use vegetable if you prefer. Opt for a low sodium version so you can have more control over the amount of salt.
  
• Heavy cream – To avoid lumps or separating when added to heat, be sure to bring your dairy to room temperature first. Simply measure it out and let it sit on the counter while you prep the other ingredients and start the scallop recipe.
  
• Parmesan – For the best flavor, buy a fresh wedge and grate it by hand! I recommend using a microplane zester because the smaller shreds will melt down smoother and easier into the sauce. If you don’t have one of those, just use the smallest sized holes on a regular box grater.
  
• Unsalted butter
  
• Salt 

How To Make This Scallops Recipe

1. First, prep and measure out your ingredients.

If you’ll be serving these with pasta, boil water and start to cook the noodles few minutes before cooking scallops and sauce.

It’s also important to rinse the shellfish and pat them dry with a paper towel to ensure a gorgeous golden crust on the outside. 

2. Preheat the pan first and then place scallops in a hot skillet.

Season with salt and pepper just before cooking and leave space between each one. Overcrowding will cause them to steam instead of sear.

Once they are in, do not touch them.

3. Sear on both sides. 

Once the first side has a nice crust, flip them in the same order they were added to the skillet. This guarantees that each is cooked for the same amount of time.

Then, remove them from the skillet before continuing. For more tips on seared scallop recipe, take a look at this post.

4. Melt butter and sauté garlic.

Lower the heat and swirl butter around until melted. Add pressed garlic and let it sit for a few seconds until fragrant.

At this point, you will want to deglaze the pan with stock. Pour it in slowly, then mix it into the other ingredients while scraping up any bits that are stuck to the bottom.

5. Add the cream.

Next, stir in the heavy whipping cream until well combined. Let it heat through before adding cheese.

6. Stir in Parmesan and let it thicken.

Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the liquid and mix until melted and smooth. Continue stirring while bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer until thickened.

7. Return scallops to the pan.

This is just to warm them back up, so don’t leave them on the heat too long or they will overcook.

If you’re making this dish with pasta. Add cooked pasta to sauce and mix it until evenly coated. You can stir it in right with the scallops or take the scallops out and mix pasta with the sauce in the pan.

FAQ

How will I know when the scallops are done?

These can be a bit finicky, especially if you haven’t made them before, so you will want to go by look and feel.

Both sides will have an even golden color, and the scallops will turn opaque all the way through. When gently pressed, they should feel firm and spongy to the touch with a little bit of give. Any firmer and they will be tough and rubbery. 

You can also check the temperature for a more exact measurement. They should be 125°-130° in the center when done, so remove them from the heat at first number since they will continue to cook as they rest.

Can cooked scallops be reheated?

Yes, but do so carefully. Reheat them on the stove over low heat just until warmed through.

Leftovers of this scallop recipe should be good for 3 to 4 days stored in the refrigerator, in a food storage container with an air-tight lid. 

Serving suggestions:

I enjoy this scallop recipe with freshly cooked fettuccine so the noodles can soak up the extra sauce. Linguine or tagliatelle would make a great substitute as well.

Starches like rice and potatoes are another popular addition to this dish, but you could easily pair it with a sautéed or some roasted vegetables for a lighter option. Broccoli and cauliflower are the most popular options for dishes with cream sauce because they soak up sauce so well.

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