If you’re ready to embark on a culinary adventure that brings the rich flavors of the sea right to your dinner table, this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe is an absolute must-try. Combining succulent shrimp cooked in a luscious garlic butter sauce with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and tender lasagna noodles, this dish sings with layers of buttery, garlicky goodness. It’s like the best parts of classic Italian lasagna and fresh seafood scampi came together for a joyful, comforting meal that everyone will be talking about long after the last bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role, making the dish both flavorful and visually appealing. Whether it’s the bright zest of lemon or the creamy textures of ricotta and mozzarella, these essentials come together to create harmony in every layer.
- Large shrimp (1 pound): Peeled and deveined for convenience and tender seafood flavor.
- Lasagna noodles (9): Use oven-ready or pre-cooked to save time and create perfect layers.
- Butter (4 tablespoons): The foundation for that irresistible garlic butter sauce.
- Garlic (4 cloves, minced): Infuses the dish with its signature fragrant and savory punch.
- Heavy cream (1 ½ cups): Adds rich, velvety smoothness to the sauce.
- Ricotta cheese (1 cup): Provides creamy texture and mild flavor that balances the shrimp.
- Mozzarella cheese (2 cups, shredded): Melts beautifully for gooey, stringy layers.
- Parmesan cheese (½ cup, grated): Sprinkles a salty tang that rounds out the dish.
- Chopped parsley (2 tablespoons): Adds freshness and a pop of green color.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances every ingredient’s natural flavors.
- Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds subtle heat and depth.
- Lemon zest or juice (optional, 1 teaspoon zest or 1 tablespoon juice): Brightens and lifts the richness.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Garlic and Shrimp
Start by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add minced garlic. Let it cook for about a minute until you can smell that intoxicating aroma filling the kitchen. Now toss in your shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook on each side for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. These perfectly cooked shrimp are the heart of your lasagna.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Garlic Sauce
Using the same skillet (to keep all those wonderful flavors), add a little more butter if necessary, then garlic once again for extra punch. Stir in heavy cream, reduce the heat to let it gently simmer, and mix in the grated Parmesan until it’s melted and silky. If you like a touch of brightness, now’s the time to add lemon zest or juice. This sauce will bring everything together with its rich, luscious texture.
Step 3: Mix Ricotta Filling
In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese with fresh parsley, a pinch of salt and black pepper, and a spoonful of your divine garlic cream sauce. This creamy mixture will add softness and herbaceous notes that contrast beautifully with the shrimp and noodle layers.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and start by spooning a layer of the garlic cream sauce on the bottom—this keeps the noodles from sticking and kicks off the flavor journey. Then add a layer of noodles, spread some of the ricotta mixture on top, scatter shrimp evenly, drizzle more sauce, and sprinkle shredded mozzarella. Repeat these layers until the dish is full. Finish with a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan for a golden, bubbly crust.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the lasagna with foil and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese on top is beautifully golden and bubbly. Once out of the oven, allow it to rest for about 10 minutes to set and make slicing a breeze.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a light dusting of extra Parmesan on top brings a fresh, vibrant finish. You can also add a few lemon wedges on the side for guests to squeeze over their portions, amplifying the citrus notes throughout the dish.
Side Dishes
Since this lasagna is rich and satisfying, pair it with a simple green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette or some steamed seasonal vegetables to balance the meal with fresh, crisp textures.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions in small ramekins or mini cast-iron skillets for a personal touch. You could also layer this recipe in a deep-dish skillet for rustic charm and easy family-style serving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover your leftover Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to 3 days, making it perfect for next-day lunches or dinners.
Freezing
This lasagna freezes wonderfully. If you want to save some for later, wrap it securely in aluminum foil and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw the frozen lasagna overnight in the refrigerator. Bake it in a preheated 350°F oven covered with foil for about 25 minutes, then uncover for an additional 10 minutes to refresh that bubbly golden top. You can also microwave individual slices on medium power to keep them moist and warm through.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw and pat them dry before cooking to ensure they sauté nicely and don’t release too much water into the sauce.
Is it necessary to use heavy cream in the sauce?
Heavy cream provides the rich, velvety texture that makes this lasagna special. If you want a lighter version, you could try substituting half-and-half, but the sauce might be less thick and creamy.
Can I prepare this lasagna ahead of time before baking?
Yes! You can assemble the entire lasagna up to a day in advance, cover it well, and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake it. This is perfect for reducing prep on the day of your gathering.
What can I substitute if I don’t have ricotta cheese?
While ricotta is traditional, you can use cottage cheese or a blend of cream cheese and sour cream for a similar creamy texture, though it will slightly alter the flavor profile.
How do I prevent the lasagna noodles from sticking?
If using oven-ready noodles, they are designed to absorb moisture and not stick. If using regular noodles, be sure to cook them al dente, rinse with cold water, and add sauce between layers so they don’t dry out and stick together.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe is a wonderful way to impress friends and family with layers of rich, buttery garlic shrimp goodness wrapped in cheesy, creamy comfort. It’s a unique twist on two beloved classics that’s as much fun to make as it is delicious to eat. I can’t wait for you to try it and share this special dish that’s destined to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.
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Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian American
Description
This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna combines the rich flavors of garlic butter shrimp scampi with creamy cheeses and tender lasagna noodles for a decadent and comforting seafood pasta bake perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest or 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper, a pinch each
- Spoonful of garlic cream sauce (from prepared sauce)
Other Ingredients
- 9 lasagna noodles, oven-ready or cooked according to package instructions
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Garlic Butter Shrimp: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant to infuse the butter with garlic flavor.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- Make Creamy Garlic Sauce: Using the same skillet, add more butter if needed, then sauté additional garlic briefly. Stir in heavy cream and simmer gently, reducing heat. Mix in grated parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Optionally fold in lemon zest or juice for brightness.
- Mix Ricotta Filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with chopped parsley, a pinch of salt and pepper, and a spoonful of the prepared garlic cream sauce to make a flavorful cheese mixture.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread a layer of the creamy sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Start layering with noodles, followed by ricotta mixture, shrimp, more sauce, and shredded mozzarella. Repeat these layers until ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes after baking to set before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Oven-ready lasagna noodles save time, but you can use regular noodles boiled according to package instructions.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste during each step for optimal flavor.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- If you prefer, substitute parsley with fresh basil or oregano for a different herb flavor.
- Keep an eye on the lasagna during the uncovered baking stage to prevent burning the cheese topping.
