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Delicious plate of Seafood Carbonara with shrimp, scallops, and creamy sauce

Seafood Carbonara

A quick and creamy Seafood Carbonara featuring shrimp, scallops, and calamari, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian, Seafood
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Essentials
  • 8 oz pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine) Use pantry staples.
  • 1 cup shrimp, peeled and deveined Fresh or thawed frozen.
  • 1 cup scallops Small or cut to similar size as shrimp.
  • 1 cup calamari, sliced Rings or pre-sliced tubes.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Or use 1 tsp garlic powder in a pinch.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Base of the creamy sauce.
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Use finely grated for fastest melting.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil For cooking seafood and garlic.
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped For garnish.
Optional Add-ons
  • Lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice Brightens the dish for adults and kids who like citrus.
  • Red pepper flakes A pinch for a mild kick.
  • Frozen peas Stir in at the end for a veggie pop.
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved For sweetness, lightly tossed at the end.
  • Extra Parmesan or a Parmesan rind Add a rind to the cream while heating for deeper flavor.
  • White beans or cannellini beans For bulk and texture.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 8 oz pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set pasta aside.
  2. While water heats, warm 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for 30–45 seconds until fragrant.
Cooking
  1. Add 1 cup shrimp, 1 cup scallops, and 1 cup calamari to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring gently, until all pieces turn opaque and are just cooked through.
  2. Lower heat to medium-low and pour in 1 cup heavy cream; stir to combine and warm gently for 1–2 minutes.
  3. Gradually stir in 1 cup grated Parmesan until the sauce becomes silky and slightly thickened. Add a splash of reserved pasta water for a looser sauce if desired.
  4. Taste and add salt and pepper to your family's liking. Start with a small pinch of salt.
  5. Toss the drained pasta directly in the skillet with the seafood and sauce until everything is coated, adding reserved pasta water as needed.
Serving
  1. Divide among plates and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

This dish is cozy on its own, but small sides can make it family-friendly. Common side suggestions include steamed peas or corn, carrot sticks, and garlic bread.