Seafood Pasta: 7 Best Recipes You’ll Make on Repeat

Tired of boring dinners that lack flavor and excitement? If your mealtime routine is stuck in a rut, seafood pasta is about to become your new favorite solution.

These dishes don’t just look beautiful—they deliver the bold, briny, and comforting taste that only the ocean and a great bowl of pasta can offer. With just a few quality ingredients and simple techniques, you can whip up restaurant-worthy seafood pasta right at home.

As a culinary content strategist who’s worked with professional chefs and home cooks for over a decade, I’ve studied what makes certain recipes keep showing up on our dinner tables again and again. The 7 seafood pasta recipes I’ll share with you here are packed with flavor, easy to execute, and versatile enough for any occasion.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to make these dishes shine—from picking the right seafood and prepping it like a pro to cooking tips, flavor hacks, and smart storage solutions. Ready to dive in?

Why This Seafood Recipe Works

• Uses affordable, easy-to-find types of seafood
• Ready to marinate in just 15 minutes
• Perfect for both quick weeknight meals and impressive weekend feasts
• Customizable with global flavors or dietary preferences
• Comforting, satisfying, and bursting with umami flavor

Choosing the Right Seafood

Best Cuts for This Recipe

When making seafood pasta, the right cut of seafood makes all the difference. Here are some top picks:

• Shrimp: Quick-cooking and soaks up sauces beautifully
• Scallops: Buttery and tender, perfect for light cream sauces
• Mussels or clams: Bring natural brininess and depth
• White fish (cod, halibut): Flaky, mild, and pairs well with garlic butter
• Crab or lobster: Rich, sweet, and luxurious additions for special occasions

Buying Tips

• Look for seafood with a fresh ocean smell—never fishy.
• Shrimp should be firm with translucent shells.
• Mollusks (like mussels) should have tightly closed shells.
• When possible, buy wild-caught for better flavor and sustainability.

Substitutions

• Can’t find scallops? Use cubed white fish instead.
• No mussels? Try canned clams for convenience.
• Swap fresh seafood for frozen—but always thaw it properly first.

Ingredients & Prep

Seafood Prep Essentials

• Clean and devein shrimp
• Rinse shellfish under cold water and remove any broken shells
• Pat fish fillets dry before seasoning
• Optional: brine shrimp in salted water for 15 minutes for better texture

Marinades & Rubs

For bold flavor, try this simple marinade:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• ½ tsp chili flakes
• Salt and pepper
  Marinate for 15–30 minutes before cooking.

Pantry Staples

Keep these on hand for almost any seafood pasta:

• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Onion
• Crushed red pepper
• Lemon juice
• White wine
• Fresh parsley
• Pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti)

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Pre-Cooking Prep

• Bring seafood to room temperature for even cooking
• Pat dry with paper towels
• Season with salt, pepper, and your marinade of choice

Cooking Method

Depending on the recipe:

• Sear shrimp and scallops in hot olive oil for 2–3 minutes on each side until they’re just tender and golden.
• Steam mussels with garlic and wine for 6–8 minutes
• Bake white fish with herbs at 375°F for 12–15 minutes
• Boil pasta al dente, then toss everything together with sauce

Doneness Check

• Shrimp turn pink and opaque
• Scallops should be golden on the outside, translucent inside
• Fish flakes easily with a fork
• Internal temp for seafood: 145°F

Resting

Let seafood rest for a couple of minutes before mixing it with hot pasta to lock in flavor and moisture.

Pro Tips for Perfect Seafood

Avoiding Tough/Dry Seafood

• Don’t overcook!
• Use medium-high heat and cook just until opaque
• Avoid crowding the pan so everything sears properly

Tool Recommendations

• Digital seafood thermometer
• Cast-iron skillet for perfect sear
• Fine mesh strainer for rinsing shellfish

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate any extras in sealed containers and enjoy within 3 days.
• Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream
• Freeze seafood pasta (without shellfish) for up to 2 months

Flavor Variations

Spicy Twist

• Add chili oil or crushed chipotle for smoky heat
• Top with sliced jalapeños for extra kick

Keto/Paleo

• Swap traditional pasta for spiralized zucchini or roasted spaghetti squash for a lighter spin.
• Swap heavy cream for coconut milk

Global Flavors

• Thai: Toss shrimp with coconut curry sauce
• Italian: Use sun-dried tomatoes, capers, and basil
• Craving Spanish flair?: Add smoky paprika and sliced chorizo for a dish reminiscent of paella.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with garlic bread, roasted broccoli, or grilled asparagus
• Serve alongside a crisp green salad tossed in fresh lemon vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.
• Wine Pairings:
  • White wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
  • Rosé works beautifully with shrimp or scallops
  • Light beer like Pilsner or Hefeweizen balances the richness

Conclusion

Now that you’ve got all the tools and know-how, it’s time to bring these seafood pasta recipes to life in your own kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy weeknight dinner or impressing guests on the weekend, these recipes deliver every single time.

Grab your skillet and whip this up tonight—your tastebuds will thank you!

Join 5k+ home cooks who swear by these go-to pasta dishes, and be sure to check out our [Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta] and [Smoked Brisket Guide] next!

FAQs

Do you have questions about seafood pasta? Drop them in the comments and let’s get cooking!