Weeknight Creamy Seafood Pasta

The Story & Intro

If there’s one dish that instantly transports me back to the cozy kitchens of my childhood, it’s weeknight creamy seafood pasta warm, silky, brimming with ocean flavors, and so comforting it feels like a hug in a bowl.

Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.

My love affair with weeknight creamy seafood pasta began during a spontaneous late-night dinner in Montparnasse when I was a teenager. My maman was working late, my papa was traveling, and I was left with a rumbling stomach and whatever I could find in the fridge. There it was half a carton of cream, leftover white wine, garlic (always!), and a small bag of mixed seafood from the market. I tossed everything together, added pasta, and voilà creamy perfection was born.

Fast-forward to my life here in the U.S., where busy days call for fast but soul-warming meals. That’s exactly why I adore this weeknight creamy seafood pasta. It’s luscious, easy, quick, and tastes like you spent hours preparing it. The tender shrimp, buttery scallops, and soft noodles coated in a garlicky, velvety sauce make this the kind of recipe that disappears fast trust me, my friends ask for it every time they come over.

And the best part? Whether you’re a confident cook or a beginner, this dish will make you feel like a culinary superstar. Let’s cook something beautiful together! 💛

⏱️ Time

• Prep: 10 minutes
• Cook: 20 minutes
• Total: 30 minutes

Fast enough for a busy evening, fancy enough for a cozy at-home date night.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Pasta

• 12 oz linguine or fettuccine
• 1 tbsp salt (for the pasta water)

For the Seafood

• 1 lb mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, calamari, or your favorite combo)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp butter

For the Creamy Sauce

• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• ½ cup dry white wine (or broth)
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 lemon (zest + juice)
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional but delicious!)
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Extra Parmesan for serving

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

2. Sear the Seafood

Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add seafood, season with salt and pepper, and sear until opaque and lightly golden (about 2 minutes per side).
Transfer to a plate don’t overcook!

3. Build the Aromatics

In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter. Add garlic and shallots and sauté until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes.

4. Deglaze With Wine

Pour in the white wine and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release all those beautiful browned bits. Simmer 2–3 minutes until reduced.

5. Create the Creamy Base

Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, paprika, chili flakes, lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Let the sauce thicken for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Combine It All

Add the seafood back into the pan. Toss gently.
Add the pasta and a splash of pasta water to loosen everything into luxurious silkiness.
Taste and adjust seasoning.

7. Garnish & Serve

Top with fresh parsley, extra lemon zest, and a generous snowfall of Parmesan.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some ways to make your weeknight creamy seafood pasta feel even more special:

• Serve with a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette
• Add crusty garlic bread for sauce-swiping bliss
• Pair with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc
• Toss in sun-dried tomatoes or spinach for extra color and texture
• Drizzle a tiny bit of truffle oil (my guilty pleasure!)

This dish is rich, bright, velvety, and absolutely irresistible.

📋 Recipe Card

🍝 Weeknight Creamy Seafood Pasta

⏱️ Time: 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 4
💛 Difficulty: Easy

🛒 Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 lb mixed seafood
• Butter & olive oil
• Garlic + shallot
• White wine
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan
• Lemon
• Paprika, chili flakes
• Salt, pepper
• Parsley

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook pasta; save pasta water.
2. Sear seafood in butter and oil. Remove.
3. Sauté garlic & shallots.
4. Add wine and reduce.
5. Pour in cream, Parmesan, spices, lemon.
6. Add seafood & pasta. Toss with pasta water.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

📝 Notes

• Use fresh or frozen seafood just pat dry before cooking.
• Add spinach for extra veggies.
• Use broth instead of wine if needed.

🍽️ Nutrition (Approx.)

• Calories: 620
• Protein: 36g
• Carbs: 54g
• Fat: 28g
• Fiber: 3g

Conclusion

And there you have it a bowl of creamy, dreamy comfort that tastes like it came straight from a seaside bistro. This weeknight creamy seafood pasta is everything your busy evenings need: fast, fabulous, indulgent, and full of love. From my Parisian childhood experiments to my cozy American kitchen, this dish carries the warmth of home and the joy of cooking for the people you care about.

I hope it fills your heart and belly with the same happiness it brings me. Bon appétit, my friends! 💛🇫🇷🇺🇸