Cozy Scallop Spaghetti in Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce

Seafood lovers often celebrate the luxurious delicacy of scallop spaghetti, a refined pasta dish that elevates culinary expectations.

Marine treasures like succulent scallops transform ordinary pasta into an extraordinary dining experience.

The creamy white butter garlic sauce creates a rich, velvety backdrop that complements the delicate seafood perfectly.

Capers add a tangy, briny accent that cuts through the richness and provides a sophisticated flavor profile.

Italian-inspired cuisine meets oceanic elegance in this remarkable pasta preparation that promises to delight discerning palates.

Home cooks and professional chefs alike can appreciate the delicate balance of flavors and textures in this elegant seafood pasta creation.

Cooking Tips For Scallop Spaghetti In Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce With Capers

• Choose Fresh Scallops: Select dry, plump scallops without added preservatives for the best searing results.
• Perfect Pasta Water: Save pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and help sauce cling to noodles.
• Sear Scallops Perfectly: Pat scallops completely dry before cooking to achieve a golden-brown crust without steaming.
• Control Heat Wisely: Use medium-high heat for scallops and reduce to medium when making sauce to prevent burning garlic and butter.
• Customize Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to make the dish mild or spicy according to personal preference.

How To Keep Scallop Spaghetti In Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce With Capers Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover scallop spaghetti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days.
• Freeze: Transfer to freezer-safe container and freeze for maximum 1 month. Avoid freezing as cream sauce may separate when thawed.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of pasta water or cream to restore sauce's creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
• Avoid Microwave: Reheating in microwave can toughen scallops and break down delicate sauce. If using microwave, heat in short 15-second intervals, stirring between each interval.

What Goes Best With Scallop Spaghetti In Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce With Capers

• Crisp White Wine Companion: Pair this delicate scallop pasta with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. These light, zesty wines complement the creamy sauce and enhance the scallops' subtle sweetness without overpowering the dish.
• Fresh Herb Sidekick: Serve with a crisp arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette. The peppery greens and bright acidity will cut through the richness of the butter sauce and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Crusty Bread Booster: Add a side of warm, crusty sourdough or French baguette. Use the bread to soak up the luxurious garlic butter sauce, creating an extra layer of deliciousness and texture to the meal.
• Citrus Spark Finish: Provide fresh lemon wedges on the side. Squeezing a bit of lemon over the dish right before eating will brighten the flavors, add a tangy note, and elevate the seafood's natural sweetness.

Mix-Up Ideas For Scallop Spaghetti In Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce With Capers

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly option that maintains the dish's rich flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap heavy cream and butter with coconut cream and olive oil, using nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to create a creamy sauce without dairy.
• Vegetarian Seafood Swap: Substitute scallops with king oyster mushrooms or seared hearts of palm, which offer a similar texture and absorb the garlic butter sauce beautifully.
• Low-Carb Solution: Use spiralized daikon radish or cauliflower rice instead of pasta, keeping the luxurious sauce and seafood elements while reducing carbohydrate content.

FAQ On Scallop Spaghetti In Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce With Capers

• What type of scallops work best for this recipe?

Sea scallops are ideal because they’re larger, meatier, and create a beautiful golden sear. Make sure to pat them dry with paper towels before cooking to ensure a perfect caramelized exterior.

• How do I know when scallops are perfectly cooked?

Scallops should be golden brown on the outside and slightly translucent in the center. Overcooking makes them tough and rubbery. They typically take 1-2 minutes per side on high heat.

• Can I substitute the white wine?

Yes, you can use chicken broth or seafood stock as an alternative. These options will still provide depth of flavor to the sauce without using alcohol.

• Is this recipe considered difficult to make?

This dish looks impressive but is actually quite simple. The key is high heat for searing scallops and careful sauce preparation. With basic cooking skills, anyone can create this restaurant-quality meal at home.

Why Scallop Spaghetti In Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce With Capers Works

• Speedily Satisfying Seafood Feast: Scallop Spaghetti embraces multiple delightful qualities that make it a standout dish.
• Quick Culinary Magic: Preparation takes just 25 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy home cooks seeking a gourmet meal without extensive kitchen time.
• Restaurant-Quality Experience at Home: Professional-level technique transforms simple ingredients into an elegant dinner that rivals upscale restaurant offerings, allowing home chefs to impress guests effortlessly.
• Flavor Explosion with Minimal Effort: The creamy white butter garlic sauce with capers creates a rich, complex taste profile while requiring minimal cooking skills, making it accessible for intermediate home cooks wanting to elevate their meal preparation.

Scallop Spaghetti In Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce With Capers Ingredients

• Spaghetti: Classic pasta providing structure and texture for the dish, select high-quality semolina wheat pasta for best results.

• Scallops: Delicate and sweet ocean protein, choose fresh sea scallops with firm, creamy white appearance and no strong fishy smell.

• Butter, Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy base creating rich, smooth sauce, select European-style butter for deeper flavor.
• White Wine: Adds depth and acidity to sauce, use dry white varieties like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
• Garlic: Aromatic flavor enhancer, fresh cloves provide more intense taste than pre-minced options.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for enhancing natural flavors.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides subtle heat and complexity to the sauce.
• Capers: Briny, tangy element adding Mediterranean accent.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green garnish with fresh herbaceous note.
• Lemon: Acidic element for balancing richness, provides fresh citrus finish.

• Olive Oil: Used for searing scallops, select extra virgin for best flavor.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid helping to bind sauce and pasta together.

How To Cook Scallop Spaghetti In Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce With Capers

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Bring salted water to rolling boil. Drop spaghetti and cook until tender with slight bite. Scoop out half cup starchy water, then drain pasta and set aside.

Step 2: Create Golden Scallop Medallions

Heat skillet to sizzling medium-high. Generously season scallops with salt and pepper. Place scallops in hot pan, cooking until caramelized edges form – about 90 seconds per side. Transfer beautiful scallops to separate plate.

Step 3: Craft Luxurious Cream Sauce

Lower skillet temperature. Melt butter and quickly sauté minced garlic until aromatic. Splash white wine, letting liquid reduce. Swirl in cream, cheese, briny capers, and spicy pepper flakes. Allow sauce to gently simmer and thicken.

Step 4: Combine Magical Seafood Feast

Toss pasta into velvety sauce, adding starchy water to create silky texture. Nestle golden scallops back into pan, warming through. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve with bright lemon wedges for squeezing.

Silky Scallop Spaghetti in Creamy White Butter Garlic Sauce with Capers Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Succulent scallops dance atop silky spaghetti in this Mediterranean-inspired white butter garlic sauce. Capers add a briny punch that elevates this elegant pasta dish, promising a restaurant-quality meal you can savor at home.

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Ingredients

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Seafood Ingredients:

• 12 large sea scallops, patted dry
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) scallops

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) dry white wine
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon capers, drained
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• Lemon wedges, for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a capacious pot, bringing it to a rolling boil. Immerse the spaghetti, allowing it to dance and twirl until achieving a perfect al dente texture.
2. Carefully extract and preserve a half-cup of the starchy liquid, then delicately drain the pasta, setting it momentarily aside.
3. Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over a robust medium-high flame.
4. Tenderly pat the scallops dry, then anoint with a delicate sprinkle of salt and freshly cracked pepper.
5. Introduce the scallops to the sizzling pan, creating a golden crust by searing approximately 1-2 minutes per side until they develop a luxurious caramelized exterior.
6. Gracefully transfer the scallops to a temporary resting plate.
7. Reduce the skillet’s temperature to a gentle medium and introduce butter, allowing it to melt and shimmer.
8. Tumble minced garlic into the molten butter, stirring until an aromatic fragrance emerges.
9. Cascade white wine into the skillet, permitting it to bubble and reduce for a brief two-minute interlude.
10. Incorporate heavy cream, grated Parmesan, briny capers, and a whisper of red pepper flakes. Allow the mixture to simmer and harmonize for two minutes.
11. Capture the cooked spaghetti and fold it into the velvety sauce, utilizing reserved pasta water to achieve a perfect silky consistency.
12. Reunite the scallops with the pasta, gently warming them within the luxurious sauce.
13. Conclude by sprinkling fresh parsley and presenting with bright lemon wedges for a citrusy accent.

Notes

• Pat scallops dry with paper towels to ensure a perfect golden sear and prevent steaming.
• Use fresh, high-quality sea scallops for the best texture and flavor profile.
• Add pasta water gradually to create a silky, emulsified sauce that clings beautifully to the spaghetti.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use less butter.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg