The 13 Best Shrimp and Scallop Recipes You’ll Absolutely Love

Shrimp and scallop recipes always feel a little special, even when they’re made on an ordinary night. I love how fast they cook and how elegant they look on the plate, because it feels like restaurant food without the effort. Even if the sear isn’t perfect or the sauce reduces a bit too much, the flavors still shine. These dishes give me the same satisfying feeling I get from BBQ salmon, where simple ingredients do all the heavy lifting.

I like serving shrimp and scallop dishes with a mix of light and comforting sides, such as buttery rice or creamy polenta, to soak up the sauce. Pulling from earlier ideas, they also pair nicely with orzo salad for something fresh and balanced. For new ideas, I enjoy adding grilled asparagus, lemony couscous, or a crisp arugula salad, because those sides keep the meal bright, elegant, and perfect for both weeknights and special occasions.

13. Garlic Butter Shrimp and Scallops

This Garlic Butter Shrimp and Scallops recipe is super easy and so delicious because you sauté shrimp and scallops in rich butter with fresh garlic and herbs, and it gives the dish a perfect flavor combination. You can serve it over rice or pasta and enjoy a restaurant-style meal at home. It takes just 15 minutes, everyone will love it, and the shrimp and scallops taste buttery and garlicky, making it a perfect weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound scallops, cleaned
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, add garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
• Add shrimp and scallops, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown.
• Drizzle lemon juice over the seafood and stir gently to combine.
• Garnish with parsley and serve immediately over rice or pasta.

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12. Shrimp and Scallop Alfredo

Shrimp and Scallop Alfredo is creamy and comforting and perfect for an easy dinner because you cook shrimp and scallops in a buttery sauce, then add cream and Parmesan cheese. It makes a rich sauce that clings to pasta, is simple and quick, and can be ready in under 30 minutes. The shrimp and scallops are tender and flavorful, and the dish feels fancy without being complicated.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 8 ounces fettuccine
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
• Melt butter in a skillet, sauté garlic, then add shrimp and scallops and cook until pink.
• Pour in heavy cream and Parmesan, stirring until smooth.
• Toss pasta with the sauce and serve hot.

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11. Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Scallops

Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Scallops is bright, flavorful, and simple because you sauté shrimp and scallops with garlic and finish with fresh lemon juice. It creates a zesty, light taste that works well as a main dish with vegetables or pasta. The seafood stays tender and juicy, cooks quickly, and is perfect for a fast lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
• Add shrimp and scallops and cook until golden.
• Squeeze lemon juice over the seafood and toss gently.
• Season with salt and pepper, garnish with parsley, and serve.

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10. Shrimp and Scallop Stir-Fry

Shrimp and Scallop Stir-Fry is colorful, quick, and perfect for weeknight meals because you cook shrimp and scallops with vegetables in a simple soy sauce and garlic mixture. The seafood stays tender and juicy, the vegetables add crunch and flavor, and the dish comes together in less than 20 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté garlic.
• Add shrimp and scallops and cook until opaque.
• Add vegetables and soy sauce and stir-fry until vegetables are tender.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

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9. Shrimp and Scallop Skewers

Shrimp and Scallop Skewers are fun and easy and perfect for grilling because you thread shrimp and scallops onto skewers and brush them with a garlic herb marinade. They cook quickly, stay tender and juicy, and make a great appetizer or main dish that is simple yet impressive.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Skewers

Directions

• Preheat grill to medium heat.
• Mix olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Thread shrimp and scallops onto skewers and brush with marinade.
• Grill skewers for 2–3 minutes per side until cooked through.

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8. Creamy Shrimp and Scallop Risotto

Creamy Shrimp and Scallop Risotto is rich, comforting, and easy to make because you slowly cook arborio rice with broth and add shrimp and scallops at the end. The result is a creamy texture with tender seafood and a restaurant-quality dish made at home.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Sauté onion in butter until soft.
• Add rice and cook for 1–2 minutes.
• Slowly add broth, stirring constantly, until rice is creamy.
• Add shrimp and scallops and cook until done.
• Stir in Parmesan and serve hot.

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7. Cajun Shrimp and Scallops

Cajun Shrimp and Scallops is spicy, bold, and simple because you season the seafood with Cajun spices and sauté it quickly. The result is a smoky, flavorful dish that is perfect when you want a little heat.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges for garnish

Directions

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Season shrimp and scallops with Cajun seasoning.
• Sauté seafood for 2–3 minutes per side.
• Serve hot with lemon wedges.

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6. Shrimp and Scallop Tacos

Shrimp and Scallop Tacos are fresh, fun, and easy because you fill soft tortillas with sautéed seafood and top them with cabbage slaw and a creamy sauce. They are colorful, flavorful, and perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 4 small tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Sauté shrimp and scallops with salt and pepper until cooked.
• Mix sour cream and lime juice to make the sauce.
• Warm tortillas and fill with shrimp, scallops, cabbage, and sauce.
• Serve immediately.

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5. Shrimp and Scallop Paella

Shrimp and Scallop Paella is vibrant, flavorful, and easy to make because you cook rice with saffron and add shrimp, scallops, and vegetables. It is perfect for family dinners or special occasions and feels fancy while staying simple.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 1 cup rice
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups chicken or seafood broth
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

• Heat olive oil and sauté onion and bell pepper until soft.
• Add rice and toast slightly.
• Pour in broth and saffron and simmer until rice is cooked.
• Add shrimp and scallops and cook until done.
• Serve hot.

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4. Shrimp and Scallop Pasta Primavera

Shrimp and Scallop Pasta Primavera is light, fresh, and easy to make because you cook shrimp and scallops with vegetables and toss everything with pasta, olive oil, and Parmesan. It is colorful, healthy, and perfect for a quick dinner.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 8 ounces pasta
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, peas)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
• Sauté shrimp and scallops in olive oil until cooked.
• Add vegetables and cook until tender.
• Toss everything with pasta, sprinkle with Parmesan, and serve.

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3. Shrimp and Scallop Risotto Cakes

Shrimp and Scallop Risotto Cakes are crispy and flavorful and easy to make because you mix leftover risotto with chopped shrimp and scallops and pan-fry until golden. They work well as an appetizer or main dish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked risotto
• 1/4 pound shrimp, chopped
• 1/4 pound scallops, chopped
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Mix risotto, shrimp, scallops, and egg together.
• Form mixture into small cakes and coat with breadcrumbs.
• Heat olive oil and pan-fry cakes until golden brown.
• Serve hot.

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2. Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche

Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche is fresh, tangy, and easy because you marinate seafood in lime juice with onions, cilantro, and tomatoes. It is refreshing, healthy, and perfect as an appetizer or light meal.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and diced
• 1/2 pound scallops, diced
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Combine shrimp, scallops, lime juice, onion, tomatoes, and cilantro in a bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper and mix gently.
• Refrigerate for 15–20 minutes until seafood is “cooked” by the lime.
• Serve chilled.

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1. Baked Shrimp and Scallop Gratin

Baked Shrimp and Scallop Gratin is cheesy, comforting, and easy to make because you layer shrimp and scallops with cream, garlic, and cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden. It is perfect for dinner parties or family meals.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated cheese (Gruyère or Parmesan)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Melt butter and sauté garlic, then briefly add shrimp and scallops.
• Layer shrimp and scallops in a baking dish and pour cream over them.
• Sprinkle cheese on top and bake for 20 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

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Conclusion

Shrimp and scallop recipes are versatile and delicious, ranging from creamy pastas to fresh ceviches and simple grilled dishes. These 13 recipes show just how easy and tasty shrimp and scallop meals can be, whether you want a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive dish for guests. If you enjoyed these recipes, make sure to subscribe to my blog for more shrimp and scallop recipes and easy seafood ideas to try at home.