Description
This Garlic Butter Baked Scallops recipe features tender sea scallops baked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb topping. Perfectly seasoned with lemon juice and paprika, this easy and flavorful dish makes an elegant main course that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Scallops and Seasoning
- 1 1/2 pounds sea scallops (patted dry)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Topping
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a shallow baking dish to prevent sticking and to help with easy cleanup.
- Mix Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend all the flavors together.
- Arrange Scallops: Place the dried sea scallops in a single layer in the baking dish, ensuring even spacing for uniform cooking. Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the scallops so each one gets coated.
- Prepare Topping: In another small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese together. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the scallops to create a flavorful crust.
- Bake: Bake the scallops in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until the scallops turn opaque and the breadcrumb topping becomes golden brown.
- Optional Broil: For an extra golden and crispy crust, switch the oven to broil and cook the scallops for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the scallops from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges, and serve immediately. This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter.
Notes
- Patting scallops dry before cooking is essential to ensure they bake evenly and develop a nice texture.
- Serve the scallops over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread to fully enjoy the flavorful butter sauce.
