Dreamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops Recipe

Luscious Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops Recipe

Seafood lovers rejoice as this creamy Tuscan spaghetti with jumbo scallops recipe brings restaurant-quality elegance straight to your dinner table.

Silky pasta swirls meet perfectly seared scallops in a luxurious sauce that whispers of Mediterranean charm.

Rich parmesan and fragrant herbs dance together, creating a symphony of flavors that will transport you to the coastal regions of Italy.

Each tender scallop promises a delicate sweetness complemented by the velvety cream sauce.

Garlic and sun-dried tomatoes add depth and complexity to this remarkable dish.

The combination of textures and tastes makes this recipe a standout meal for any special evening.

Savor every bite and let this culinary masterpiece become your new favorite indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 650 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops

For Protein and Seasoning:
  • Jumbo Scallops: Succulent ocean gems that provide a luxurious seafood centerpiece, choose fresh, plump scallops with a creamy white color and sweet ocean aroma.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances the delicate flavor of scallops, providing essential seasoning throughout the dish.
  • Fresh Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warm kick and aromatic depth to complement the seafood's natural sweetness.
For Sauce and Flavor Base:
  • Butter, Olive Oil: Create a rich, velvety foundation that builds deep flavor and helps prevent sticking while sautéing.
  • Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that form a flavor-packed base, bringing depth and complexity to the sauce.
  • White Wine: Introduces a bright, acidic element that tenderizes and adds sophisticated complexity to the sauce.
  • Chicken Broth: Provides a savory liquid base that intensifies the overall umami profile of the dish.
  • Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky texture and rounds out the sauce with rich, indulgent smoothness.
  • Cornstarch: Acts as a thickening agent to create a perfect, glossy sauce consistency.
For Texture and Finishing Touches:
  • Baby Spinach: Brings vibrant green color, fresh nutrients, and a delicate leafy texture to the pasta.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Contribute a concentrated, tangy sweetness and chewy texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy sauce.
  • Spaghetti: Classic pasta that serves as the perfect vehicle for the rich, creamy sauce.

Essential Tools for Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops

  • Large Pot: Essential for boiling spaghetti thoroughly and evenly.
  • Large Skillet: Perfect for searing scallops and creating the creamy sauce.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps in stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and parsley.
  • Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise ingredient preparation.
  • Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and ingredient quantities.
  • Colander: Used for draining cooked spaghetti quickly.
  • Small Bowl: Helps mix cornstarch with liquid for sauce thickening.

Steps to Make Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops

  • Pasta Preparation

Create a pot of boiling water and cook spaghetti until tender. Drain and keep warm while preparing other components of the dish.

  • Scallop Searing

Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high temperature. Season scallops with salt and pepper, then quickly cook until golden edges appear. Remove and set aside.

  • Aromatic Foundation

Use the same skillet to sauté onions and garlic until soft and fragrant, releasing their delightful flavors.

  • Liquid Transformation

Splash white wine into the pan, scraping up delicious browned bits. Add chicken broth and cream, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop rich depth.

  • Sauce Development

Incorporate a thickening agent to create a silky smooth sauce. Stir continuously until the consistency becomes luxurious and velvety.

  • Vegetable Integration

Fold in fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, letting them meld with the creamy sauce until spinach softens and colors brighten.

  • Final Assembly

Gently combine spaghetti with the luscious sauce, twirling noodles to ensure complete coverage. Top with seared scallops and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a stunning presentation.

Expert Tips for Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops

  • Seafood Searing Secret: Pat scallops completely dry with paper towels before cooking to achieve that perfect golden-brown exterior without steaming.
  • Wine Wisdom: Choose a crisp, dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the delicate scallop flavor and enhances the sauce's depth.
  • Spinach Swap-Out: Replace baby spinach with other tender greens like arugula for a peppery kick or Swiss chard for added mineral notes and robust texture.
  • Protein Possibilities: Substitute scallops with jumbo shrimp, pan-seared salmon, or chicken breast for a versatile dish that adapts to different protein preferences and dietary needs.
  • Spice it Up: Introduce red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the sauce for those craving a subtle heat that doesn't overpower the delicate seafood and creamy base.

Serving Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops

  • Coastal Dinner Party Delight: Invite friends over for an elegant seafood evening, plating this gorgeous pasta in large white dishes with extra parsley sprinkled around the edges.
  • Romantic Meal Moment: Create an intimate dinner setting with soft candlelight, a crisp white wine pairing, and delicate china plates to elevate the dining experience.
  • Rustic Tuscan-Style Presentation: Serve directly from a large wooden board or cast-iron skillet, garnishing with fresh basil leaves and extra virgin olive oil drizzled on top for an authentic Italian feel.
  • Restaurant-Quality Plating Trick: Stack the spaghetti slightly off-center, carefully arrange scallops on top at an angle, and sprinkle parmesan shavings and microgreens for a professional chef-like presentation.

Saving Leftovers of Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops

  • Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare extra sauce and scallops to create quick weeknight meals. Store sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator, ensuring flavor-packed meals are always ready.
  • Chilled Leftover Magic: Refrigerate remaining pasta and scallops in separate sealed containers. Consume within 2 days for optimal taste and texture. Gently reheat pasta with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent dryness.
  • Freezer-Friendly Sauce Strategy: Freeze the creamy Tuscan sauce without scallops in freezer-safe bags for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly, stirring continuously to maintain smooth consistency.
  • Ingredient Prep Hack: Clean and slice scallops in advance, storing them in sealed containers in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Keep raw scallops for maximum 1-2 days before cooking to ensure peak freshness and safety.
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Dreamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops Recipe

Dreamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Jumbo Scallops


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4.9 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Scrumptious tuscan spaghetti with jumbo scallops delivers Mediterranean coastal charm through rich, silky sauce and perfectly seared seafood. Palates will discover complex layers of garlic, herbs, and delicate marine proteins that transport diners straight to Italian seaside elegance.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds jumbo scallops
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 (7 oz / 198 g) jar sliced sun dried tomatoes, drained
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • 4 tbsps butter, divided
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • ¾ cup white wine
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 2 tbsps kosher salt
  • 1 tsp fresh black pepper
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
  2. Scallop Preparation: Thoroughly dry scallops and season generously with sea salt and cracked black pepper.
  3. Searing Technique: Heat skillet with butter and olive oil, then sear scallops to achieve a golden-brown crust, cooking 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  4. Aromatic Foundation: Reduce skillet heat and sauté onions and garlic until translucent, releasing their fragrant essence.
  5. Sauce Development: Deglaze pan with white wine, scraping flavor fragments. Add chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking cornstarch mixture to create a velvety sauce.
  6. Final Assembly: Incorporate baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce, then fold in cooked spaghetti, ensuring complete coating.
  7. Plating and Finish: Nestle seared scallops over the pasta, warm briefly in sauce, and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  • Pat Scallops Dry: Removing excess moisture ensures a perfect golden-brown sear and prevents steaming instead of browning.
  • Sear Without Moving: Allow scallops to develop a caramelized crust by resisting the urge to flip or move them too quickly.
  • Reserve Pasta Water: Keep a small amount of starchy water to adjust sauce consistency and help sauce cling to pasta.
  • Check Scallop Doneness: Avoid overcooking by looking for a slightly translucent center and golden exterior – they should feel slightly firm to touch.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 70 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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