Oh, I can already tell you’re going to adore this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe just as much as I do! There’s something incredibly satisfying about layering those tender shrimp, garlicky buttery sauce, and rich, cheesy lasagna sheets all baked into one luscious dish. It’s a perfect recipe for those nights you want something special yet comforting, and trust me, this recipe never fails to impress at dinner parties or family meals.
I remember the first time I made this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe — I was a bit skeptical about mixing a seafood scampi with traditional lasagna, but it turned out to be one of the best ideas ever. You’ll find that it’s surprisingly easy to make and rewarding to eat, with that lovely garlic-butter sauce tying everything together beautifully. I love how the shrimp stay juicy and tender, while the cheese melts perfectly into every layer. This dish really feels like a cozy celebration on your plate.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: The garlicky butter sauce combines perfectly with shrimp and cheese for rich, layered taste.
- Impressive Yet Easy: Despite looking fancy, this recipe is beginner-friendly and rewarding to make.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Ideal when you want to wow guests or enjoy a cozy family dinner with no fuss.
- Flexible Ingredients: Easily swapped with pantry staples or to fit your dietary preferences.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe serves a beautiful purpose, harmonizing flavor and texture. I always recommend fresh shrimp and quality butter to maximize that buttery seafood goodness, but a few pantry basics round it out perfectly.
- Lasagna Noodles: I prefer oven-ready noodles to save time — no boiling needed!
- Shrimp: Fresh or thawed, peeled and deveined shrimp bring the star protein into this dish.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is key for controlling the richness and balancing flavor.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for that punch of brightness and aroma.
- Lemon Juice: Adds just the right amount of acidity to brighten the sauce.
- White Wine or Chicken Broth: I often use dry white wine for authentic flavor, but broth works great too.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for nutty, salty layers throughout the lasagna.
- Mozzarella Cheese: For those stretchy, golden cheese layers that everyone loves.
- Heavy Cream or Half and Half: To make the sauce creamy and luscious without weighing it down.
- Fresh Parsley or Basil: Adds freshness and lovely color on top.
Variations
I often tweak this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe to fit the mood or what’s in my fridge. Feel free to make it your own — that’s part of the fun and keeps it fresh!
- Adding Mushrooms: I love sautéing sliced mushrooms with the garlic — it adds earthiness that balances the richness.
- Using Zucchini Noodles: For a lighter, low-carb version, swap lasagna noodles for thinly sliced zucchini strips.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes into the garlic butter sauce for a gentle heat my family can’t get enough of.
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese to keep it creamy without the lactose.
How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Prepping the Shrimp and Garlic Butter Sauce
Start by sautéing the shrimp in a generous amount of butter until they’re just pink and tender—about 2 minutes per side. Don’t overcook them here because they’ll bake longer in the oven. Remove the shrimp and set them aside. In the same pan, melt more butter and then toss in the minced garlic, cooking until fragrant but not browned — about 30 seconds. This step is key because the fresh garlic gives that irresistible aroma and depth to the sauce you’ll love.
Step 2: Building the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the white wine or chicken broth and lemon juice, letting everything simmer and reduce slightly for a minute or two. Then, stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, whisking until the sauce thickens gently. This creamy, lemony garlic butter sauce is the heart of the dish — trust me, don’t rush it.
Step 3: Assembling Your Lasagna
Grab your baking dish and layer it starting with a little sauce on the bottom. Then lay down your lasagna noodles (no boiling required if you choose oven-ready). Add a layer of shrimp, spoon over sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat until you run out of ingredients, finishing with a generous topping of cheese. I like to press layers a bit to keep the flavors close-knit.
Step 4: Baking to Perfection
Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) for about 30-35 minutes, until you see the cheese bubbling and turning golden brown on top. Let it rest for 10 minutes once out of the oven — this helps the layers settle and makes slicing easier. You’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous, gooey, and flavorful lasagna every time.
Pro Tips for Making Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe
- Don’t Overcook Shrimp: Cook shrimp just until pink the first time; they’ll cook more in the oven and stay tender.
- Butter Quality Matters: Using unsalted European-style butter makes the sauce richer and creamier.
- Layer Sauce Generously: Ensure each lasagna layer has ample sauce to keep noodles from drying out during baking.
- Let It Rest Before Serving: Waiting 10 minutes post-bake makes slicing cleaner and flavors meld beautifully.
How to Serve Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
I always sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and a little extra freshly grated Parmesan right before serving. Sometimes a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a few lemon zest shreds enhance the brightness and make it look even more inviting. It’s these little touches that transform this meal from delicious to restaurant-worthy.
Side Dishes
My favorite sides here are simple — a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or garlic roasted asparagus balance the richness perfectly. Crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette also work wonderfully to soak up extra sauce and complete the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this lasagna in individual ramekins for personal portions, which looks super elegant and controls serving size. You can also jazz it up by adding edible flowers or fresh herb sprigs on top right before serving to impress your guests visually and flavor-wise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator and enjoy them within 2 days for the best flavor and texture. This lasagna reheats beautifully, so it’s great for planning dinners in advance or quick lunches the next day.
Freezing
If you want to freeze, assemble the entire lasagna in a freezer-safe dish without baking it first. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, bake it from frozen at 375°F until fully cooked and bubbly, which usually takes about 60-70 minutes.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers by covering the dish with foil and warming in the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes or until heated through. This method maintains the creamy texture better than microwaving, which I tend to avoid here because it can make noodles gummy.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen shrimp for this Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw the shrimp completely, pat them dry to remove excess moisture, and don’t overcook them during the sauté step to keep them tender in the final dish.
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Can I prepare this recipe without lasagna noodles?
Yes, for a creative twist you can use thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant as a noodle substitute. It makes the dish lighter and adds a nice vegetable component, but you might want to salt and dry them first to avoid excess moisture.
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Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely—swap butter for a plant-based alternative, use coconut or almond cream instead of heavy cream, and choose your favorite dairy-free cheeses. The flavors will be a bit different but still delicious!
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How do I prevent the lasagna from drying out during baking?
Make sure to layer enough creamy sauce between each noodle layer and cover the dish with foil for the majority of the bake time to trap moisture. Removing the foil the last 10 minutes helps brown the cheese beautifully without drying it out.
Final Thoughts
This Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe has become a true favorite in my kitchen — it’s that kind of dish that feels indulgent without being overly complicated. I love sharing it with friends and family because it never fails to get compliments and requests for seconds. If you’re looking for something that turns a weeknight dinner into a special occasion, give this one a try. I promise you’ll enjoy every buttery, garlicky, cheesy bite just as much as I do!
PrintGarlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Tuscan Sausage Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining savory Italian sausage, tender pasta, and a rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs. The sauce is thickened with a touch of flour and brightened with lemon juice and Dijon mustard, creating a perfect balance of flavors. Fresh spinach and basil add a vibrant freshness, making this recipe a satisfying weeknight dinner that comes together quickly on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine pasta
Sausage and Sauce
- 11 ounces Italian sausages (about 3 mild Italian sausages, casings removed)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, julienned and drained
- 1 cup heavy or whipping cream
- 1.5 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach
- Small handful fresh basil, torn or chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the fettuccine until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside once ready.
- Brown Sausage: Meanwhile, remove the casings from the Italian sausages and crumble the meat into a large skillet. Sauté over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
- Prepare Pan for Sauce: Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside. Discard most of the rendered fat from the pan, leaving a small amount for flavor.
- Make Sauce Base: Add the minced garlic, chicken broth (or white wine), Dijon mustard, flour, and lemon juice to the skillet. Stir well to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow the mixture to bubble and thicken lightly for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add Cream and Tomatoes: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream. Cook the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to thicken.
- Combine Sausage and Sauce: Return the browned sausage to the skillet and stir through. Cook together for a few more minutes so the sauce thickens further and flavors meld.
- Add Greens and Herbs: Stir in the fresh basil and baby spinach. Cook just until the spinach wilts, about 1 minute. Taste and season the sauce with salt and pepper as needed.
- Toss Pasta and Serve: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce evenly. Serve immediately topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use julienned sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, and drain off the oil before adding to the pan for best flavor.
- The recipe uses about 3 Johnsonville mild Italian sausages (from a 5-pack); any similar variety close in weight will work well.
- Prep time is approximately 10 minutes, cook time about 20 minutes, totaling 30 minutes.
- This recipe yields 4 hearty servings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg