Pan Seared Scallops with Pasta (30-Minute Pasta Dish!)

Name: Pan Seared Scallops with Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces linguine; 2 tablespoons avocado oil; 1 pound large scallops; Salt and pepper (to taste); 1 tablespoon butter; 2 garlic cloves (finely minced); 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved lengthwise); Chopped parsley (for serving)

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This pan seared scallops recipe is a savory, delicious and easy meal to make when you’re in the mood for changing up your pasta game and want something that feels a little fancy. Cooking scallops at home is actually easier than you think, and the result is juicy tender pieces of fish that are perfect to toss with pasta.

Two large bowls of pan seared scallops with cherry tomatoes and linguine pasta

There’s nothing quite like the flavor and texture of pan fried scallops. The outer edge has a nice crispiness to it, with the inner offering that perfectly “melt in your mouth” moistness and tenderness. Pair that with the texture of the pasta, and this is literally the best comfort food recipe ever.

Why you’ll love scallop linguine

Hearty and delicious comfort food.
Easy way to add seafood and vegetables into your daily diet.
Ready to eat in less than 30 minutes of time!

ingredients to cook scallops & pasta

Scallops: Large scallops are best for this recipe so you can get that big scallop flavor!
Linguine: The perfect texture for luigine is to eat it al dente. It should have a firm texture without any type of crunch.
Avocado oil: Used to cook the scallops, but can be swapped with any other cooking oil.
Butter: I like to use salted butter for this recipe to add some extra flavoring for cooking the scallops but you can use unsalted butter, too or just stick with the avocado oil only.
Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic cloves add such a great garlic flavor.
Cherry tomatoes: The sweetness of the cherry tomatoes add a perfect pairing with the scallops and help to create a sauce for the pasta.
Seasonings & Herbs : Simple additions like salt and pepper are an easy flavor enhancement and finish it off with some freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

how to make pan seared scallops

Add the dried scallops and avocado oil to your skillet.
Cook one side thoroughly then flip and repeat.
Remove the cooked scallops from the pan and add in the halved cherry tomatoes, cooking until they start to burst and create a sauce.
Add in the cooked linguine and scallops and toss to combine.

4 image collage to show how to pan sear the scallops, then cook the tomatoes, then toss with the pasta

Tips for making scallops with pasta

Add salt to the water. Cooking your pasta in salt water helps the noodles not stick together when cooking them and helps flavor them from the beginning.
Be careful not to overcook the scallops: Make sure the pan is hot before the scallops go in and watch for browning on one side, then immediately flip to the other side when the browning happens.
Deglaze the skillet with the tomatoes. All the goodness that is left on the skillet after frying the scallops should be scraped off with a wooden spoon and mixed in as you’re cooking the tomatoes. There is so much flavor here that you don’t want to miss out on it!
Add a little bit of olive oil to the water. If you’re not a fan of adding salt to the water, adding a few drops of olive oil will have the say affect so that the noodles don’t clump together while cooking.

popular substitutions & additions

Add shrimp. Adding in another type of seafood or swapping out the scallops for shrimp is always a great addition.
Change up the type of pasta. I love the texture of linguine but you can absolutely use other pasta types, too.
Add vegetables. Adding onions would be a great crunchy texture as would a bit of chopped up broccoli or bell peppers too.
Omit the tomatoes. If you’re not a fan of cooked tomatoes, you can easily leave them out. You can also used canned diced tomatoes, too.
Top with shredded cheese. Freshly shredded parmesan cheese would be delicious on top.

what to serve with your seafood pasta recipe

how to reheat & store scallops and pasta

best way to store scallop pasta

Pasta is so good to eat as leftovers. To store this seared scallops recipe with pasta, add it all together in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.

how long will this seared scallops recipe last in the fridge?

For the best flavor and taste, eat any leftovers of this seafood pasta recipe within 1-2 days.

can i freeze scallop linguine?

Once you make the pasta, it’s best to eat this linguine recipe fresh. Adding it to the freezer is possible, but it will cause the noodles to be mushy and have a weird texture once thawed and reheated.

how to reheat Leftover Pasta

The easiest way to reheat seared scallops and pasta is to reheat a bowl in the microwave. If you’re worried that it will be dried out, you can always add in a little bit of butter of olive oil and stir.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of pan is best for searing scallops?

I really like using a cast-iron skillet for cooking scallops as it’s a great way to have even heat for cooking. You can also use nonstick cookware too.

Should scallops be rinsed before cooking?

You can rinse the scallops off before cooking but make sure to pat them dry with a clean towel before cooking them in the skillet. You don’t want any moisture on them, or it will affect that outer layer of crispiness.

Why are my scallops rubbery?

You may have overcooked the scallops, or there might have been too much liquid on the outside of the scallops before cooking them.

Close up shot of one bowl of pan seared scallops with pasta

The scallops cook quickly and have a tender, buttery texture that pairs really well with the zesty fresh tasting pasta. Don’t like scallops? Or can’t find scallops? Try shrimp or even chicken! It’s a light, bright, and completely flavor-packed dish that is perfect for family dinner or a date night in.

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This Pan Seared Scallops with Pasta recipe was originally published on July 8, 2017. The recipe has not been modified but the post now includes new step-by-step photos for how to make the scallop recipe.

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