Garlic Butter Shrimp and Scallop Seafood Bake

This garlic butter shrimp and scallop seafood bake combines two kinds of seafood with lemon, garlic, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Everything is arranged in one baking dish, coated with seasoned butter, and baked until the seafood is cooked through and the cheese has melted. Parsley and lemon wedges finish the dish at the table.

The recipe takes about 25 minutes, with 12–15 minutes in the oven depending on the seafood size. Prepare any rice, bread, or vegetables first so dinner is ready when the bake comes out. Jump to the recipe card for the quantities and complete method.

Why Bake Shrimp and Scallops Together?

Baking offers a different result from searing seafood in a skillet. Here the shrimp and scallops cook in garlic butter beneath a cheese topping, so the emphasis is on a buttery sauce and tender seafood rather than a deeply browned crust. The dish does not require turning each piece in a hot pan.

Keeping the seafood in one layer helps the butter and cheese reach every portion. A crowded pile makes it harder to check doneness and can leave some pieces cooking longer than others. Use a dish that holds the ingredients comfortably without spreading the butter across an unnecessarily large surface.

Garlic Butter Seafood Bake Ingredients

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 lb sea scallops, side muscles removed
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon wedges, for serving

Preparing the Shrimp and Scallops

Use large peeled, deveined shrimp and sea scallops with their small side muscles removed. Thaw frozen seafood according to its packaging, drain well, and pat dry. Excess surface moisture can dilute the garlic butter as the dish bakes.

The baking method starts with raw seafood. Previously cooked shrimp or scallops need different timing and should not automatically be baked for the full window. If the scallops vary greatly in size, check individual pieces toward the end rather than assuming they will all finish together.

How to Make Garlic Butter Shrimp and Scallop Bake

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish. Check that the shrimp and scallops are drained and dry before arranging them nearby. Measure the cheeses and chop the parsley before you start assembling the dish.

2. Mix the Seasoned Garlic Butter

Combine the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well so the garlic and spices are distributed throughout the butter rather than settling together in the bottom of the bowl.

3. Arrange and Coat the Seafood

Place the shrimp and scallops in a single layer in the baking dish. Pour the garlic butter over them and toss gently to coat, then spread them out again. Avoid stacking pieces while mixing, and leave enough room to check the thickest scallops.

4. Add Cheese and Bake

Sprinkle the Parmesan and mozzarella evenly over the seafood. Bake for about 12–15 minutes, checking toward the earlier end of the range. The shrimp should be opaque, the scallops cooked through, and the cheese melted. Size and oven performance affect the timing, so do not rely only on the clock.

5. Finish and Serve

Scatter the parsley over the finished bake and serve hot with lemon wedges. Spoon the garlic butter from the dish over each portion. Have the side dishes ready so the seafood does not need to remain in the oven while the rest of dinner finishes.

Tips for Tender Seafood

Check both the shrimp and the scallops. Melted cheese and bubbling butter show that the dish is hot, but they do not establish that the thickest seafood pieces are done. The FDA seafood guidance recommends an internal temperature of 145°F for most seafood.

Keep the butter mixture well stirred as you pour it over the dish. That helps distribute the seasonings instead of leaving one end heavily spiced. The red pepper flakes are optional, so omit them if you prefer a milder garlic and lemon flavor.

Do not continue baking simply to make the top darker after the seafood is ready. This recipe is a cheese-topped bake rather than a crumb crust, and the seafood texture matters more than a deeply browned surface. A pale melted topping is preferable to overcooked shrimp and scallops.

Serving Suggestions and Related Recipes

Rice and crusty bread are useful for catching the garlic butter. A green salad or simple vegetables add contrast to the cheeses without introducing another rich sauce. Serve the lemon wedges separately so everyone can adjust their own portion.

For a cream-based version, try creamy garlic butter baked shrimp. If you want scallops with a seared surface and pasta instead, see scallop scampi with garlic bread. Both offer a different way to use similar seafood ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shrimp and Scallop Seafood Bake Recipe Card