The Creamiest Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops Recipe

Creamy Tuscan spaghetti with jumbo scallops reimagines ordinary dinner into a luxurious culinary adventure that whisks you straight to coastal italian kitchens.

Mediterranean flavors dance through this elegant pasta dish, promising rich and sophisticated sensations for discerning palates.

Silky textures and harmonious ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a restaurant-quality meal right in your home kitchen.

Delicate seafood mingles with robust herbs and velvety sauce, offering an unexpected twist on traditional pasta preparations.

Luxurious ingredients elevate this recipe from simple weeknight fare to something truly remarkable and memorable.

Professional chefs might marvel at how effortlessly home cooks can craft such an impressive plate.

Complex yet approachable, this recipe breaks down gourmet cooking into delightful, manageable steps.

Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops Done Right

• Elevate Seafood Elegance: This recipe transforms simple scallops into a restaurant-worthy dish, combining luxurious textures and sophisticated flavors that make dinner feel like a special occasion.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: With just 30 minutes of total preparation time, home cooks can create a creamy, complex Tuscan-inspired meal that looks and tastes professionally crafted without requiring advanced culinary skills.
• Indulge in Sensory Richness: The golden-seared scallops paired with a velvety cream sauce, tender spinach, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes create a multi-layered taste experience that delights every bite with contrasting yet harmonious flavors and textures.
• One-Skillet Wonder: This recipe minimizes cleanup by using a single skillet for cooking scallops, sautéing aromatics, and building a luscious sauce, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or impressive date nights with minimal kitchen hassle.

What You’ll Need for Tuscan Scallop Pasta

• Jumbo Scallops: Sweet and delicate seafood that serves as the main protein with a tender, buttery texture.
• Spaghetti: Classic Italian pasta that provides a perfect base for the creamy sauce and scallops.

• Onion: Adds depth and sweetness to the base of the sauce.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, pungent flavor that complements seafood.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright and fresh herb for garnishing and adding a pop of color.

• White Wine: Adds acidity and complexity to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Provides a rich, savory liquid base for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, smooth texture for the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Helps with sautéing and adds a subtle fruity note.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, velvety sauce.

• Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor of the dish.
• Fresh Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the seasoning.
• Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the sauce and create a silky consistency.

• Baby Spinach: Fresh, tender green that adds nutrition and color.
• Sun Dried Tomatoes: Provides a tangy, concentrated tomato flavor with a chewy texture.

How to Make Creamy Spaghetti and Scallops Together

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Base

• Spaghetti
• Salt

Cook according to package directions until tender yet firm. Drain and set aside, keeping warm.

Step 2: Sear Golden Scallops

• Butter
• Olive oil

• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Sear each scallop for approximately 2 minutes per side until developing a beautiful caramelized exterior. Transfer to a warm plate.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Foundation

• Remaining butter
• Diced onion
• Minced garlic

Cook for 3-5 minutes, releasing delightful kitchen aromas.

Step 4: Build Luxurious Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream

Simmer gently.

Step 5: Thicken Sauce Elegantly

Incorporate cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously until sauce reaches desired consistency. Allow 2-3 minutes of gentle simmering.

Step 6: Introduce Fresh Elements

• Baby spinach
• Sun-dried tomatoes

Cook until spinach wilts and flavors meld beautifully.

Step 7: Combine Culinary Components

Briefly return scallops to sauce, then remove. Toss cooked spaghetti thoroughly in sauce until perfectly coated.

Step 8: Plate With Flair

Transfer saucy spaghetti to serving dish. Artfully arrange scallops on top. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a final flourish.

Tips for Scallops That Sear and Pasta That Clings

• Select Premium Scallops: Choose fresh, dry-packed sea scallops with a firm, slightly translucent appearance for the best texture and flavor.
• Master the Sear: Pat scallops completely dry before cooking to achieve a golden-brown crust and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Control Heat Precisely: Use medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure scallops develop a perfect caramelized exterior without becoming rubbery.
• Create Silky Sauce: Whisk cornstarch mixture thoroughly to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, velvety sauce consistency.
• Herb Enhancement: Chop fresh parsley just before serving to maximize its bright, aromatic flavor and visual appeal.

Reheat Tuscan Scallop Pasta Like It’s Fresh

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover pasta and scallops into an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store separately to maintain texture and prevent sogginess. Consume within 2-3 days.
• Reheat Pasta: Gently warm pasta in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture. Stir continuously over medium-low heat until heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
• Reheat Scallops: Warm scallops carefully in a microwave at 50% power in 15-second intervals to prevent overcooking. Alternatively, briefly sear in a hot skillet with a touch of butter for 30 seconds per side to maintain tenderness.

Pairing Ideas for This Tuscan Seafood Dish

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or pinot grigio to complement the creamy sauce and delicate scallop flavors, cutting through the richness while enhancing the seafood's subtle sweetness.
• Match with Crusty Artisan Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the luxurious sauce, providing a perfect textural contrast and additional flavor dimension to the dish.
• Serve with Refreshing Citrus Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan to balance the creamy pasta, offering a zesty counterpoint that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Add Herbal Sparkling Water: Choose a mineral water with a hint of rosemary or cucumber to refresh the taste buds and cut through the richness of the creamy Tuscan spaghetti, providing a light and sophisticated accompaniment.

Different Takes on Tuscan Pasta You Can Try

• Seafood Symphony: Replace scallops with a mix of shrimp, calamari, and mussels for a diverse ocean-inspired pasta experience that brings Mediterranean vibrancy to your plate.
• Vegetarian Venture: Swap scallops with pan-seared portobello mushrooms or crispy tofu cubes, maintaining the creamy sauce's rich texture while creating a plant-based alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor.
• Spicy Coastal Remix: Add red pepper flakes and a splash of cayenne to the sauce, transforming the dish with a subtle heat that complements the seafood and creates a more complex flavor profile.
• Herb-Infused Edition: Incorporate fresh basil, thyme, and rosemary into the sauce, elevating the dish with aromatic herbs that enhance the creamy Tuscan-style base and provide a garden-fresh dimension.

Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Tuscan spaghetti with jumbo scallops whisks Italian coastal elegance onto your dinner plate. Luxurious sea scallops nestled in a silky parmesan sauce over perfectly al dente pasta promise restaurant-quality dining right in your kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 2 pounds jumbo scallops
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 (7 ounces / 198 grams) jar sliced sun dried tomatoes, drained

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• ½ cup diced onion
• Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Liquids and Fats:

• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¾ cup white wine
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Submerge spaghetti and cook until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight firmness. Drain thoroughly, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
2. Pat scallops completely dry using paper towels. Season generously with sea salt and cracked black pepper, ensuring even coating.
3. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high flame. Add a blend of butter and olive oil, creating a shimmering cooking surface.
4. Carefully place scallops in the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a rich golden-brown exterior. Sear for approximately 2-3 minutes per side without disturbing, then transfer to a warm plate.
5. Reduce skillet heat and introduce diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until aromatics become translucent and release their fragrant essence.
6. Deglaze the pan with white wine, using a wooden spatula to scrape accumulated flavor fragments from the skillet’s bottom. Allow liquid to reduce by half.
7. Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet. Gently whisk cornstarch mixture into the simmering liquid, stirring continuously until sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.
8. Fold chopped baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes into the creamy sauce, allowing greens to wilt and ingredients to harmonize.
9. Introduce cooked spaghetti directly into the sauce, tossing meticulously to ensure complete and even coating.
10. Nestle seared scallops atop the pasta, gently warming them in the sauce’s embrace.
11. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, creating a vibrant visual and flavor finale. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Toss scallops gently in sauce to prevent overcooking, maintaining their delicate texture and preventing rubberiness.
• Store leftover pasta separately from scallops to preserve their optimal quality and prevent soggy seafood.
• Experiment with alternative seafood like shrimp or mussels if scallops are unavailable, ensuring similar cooking techniques.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 710
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 74 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg