Description
Garlic butter shrimp scampi lasagna merges Italian and coastal flavors into one incredible dish. Layers of tender pasta, succulent shrimp, and rich garlic butter sauce promise a luxurious dining experience that will delight seafood enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails off)
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated, separated)
- 1 egg
- 12 lasagna noodles (cooked according to package instructions)
- 6 tbsps butter (divided)
- 2 ½ cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for ultra-creamy texture)
- 3 tbsps flour
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth for non-alcoholic version)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 tbsps fresh parsley (chopped, divided)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Skillet Preparation: Heat butter in a medium-temperature skillet, creating a smooth, even coating across the cooking surface.
- Aromatic Infusion: Sprinkle minced garlic and red pepper flakes into melted butter, stirring briefly to release intense flavors and create a fragrant base. Allow ingredients to meld for 30 seconds.
- Seafood Searing: Add shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Cook until shrimp turn pink and develop a delicate, tender texture, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
- Flavor Intensification: Deglaze the pan with white wine and lemon juice, scraping up caramelized bits from the skillet bottom. Simmer the liquid to concentrate flavors and create a rich, vibrant sauce.
- Protein Extraction: Remove shrimp from the skillet, reserving the aromatic pan liquid. This flavorful reduction will serve as a critical component in building the lasagna’s complex taste profile.
- Layering Foundation: Prepare lasagna noodles according to package instructions, ensuring they are al dente and ready for assembly.
- Sauce Creation: Combine reserved pan liquid with heavy cream, creating a luxurious garlic-infused sauce that will bind the lasagna layers.
- Cheese Integration: Mix ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, seasoning with chopped parsley and additional garlic for depth.
- Assembly Technique: Layer noodles, cheese mixture, seared shrimp, and garlic cream sauce in a baking dish, repeating until all ingredients are incorporated.
- Baking Finale: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cover lasagna with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
- Prevent Overcooking Shrimp: Watch color and texture closely – shrimp turn pink and curl slightly when done. Overcooking makes them tough and rubbery, destroying their delicate texture.
- Optimize Garlic Intensity: Sauté garlic briefly to release flavor without burning. Burnt garlic creates bitter taste, compromising the entire dish’s deliciousness.
- Select Quality Wine: Choose dry white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Avoid cooking wines, which contain added salt and lack authentic flavor complexity.
- Control Heat Carefully: Medium heat prevents burning butter and ensures even cooking. Higher temperatures can cause butter to brown quickly and shrimp to become tough.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg