Imagine a plate that captures the essence of coastal Italian cuisine in just 35 minutes - crispy lemon-toasted breadcrumbs dancing over perfectly seared seafood and al dente spaghetti. This Seafood Pasta with Lemon Crumbs isn't just a meal; it's a culinary journey that promises to elevate your home cooking from ordinary to extraordinary. Prepare to impress your dinner guests or treat yourself to a restaurant-quality dish that's surprisingly simple to create!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, calamari)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, prepare the seafood. Pat shrimp, scallops, and calamari dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Quickly sear seafood in batches, cooking for 1-2 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Remove seafood and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- In a separate small pan, toast breadcrumbs with lemon zest until golden brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Add cooked pasta to the garlic skillet, tossing with lemon juice and reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.
- Gently fold in cooked seafood, warming through for 1-2 minutes.
- Plate pasta and seafood, generously sprinkle with lemon-toasted breadcrumbs.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Tips
- • Pat seafood completely dry before searing to achieve a beautiful golden crust • Cook seafood in batches to prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking • Toast breadcrumbs slowly and stir constantly to prevent burning • Reserve pasta water - it's liquid gold for creating silky, clingy sauces • Use the freshest seafood possible for the most vibrant flavor • Don't overcook seafood - 1-2 minutes per side is typically perfect • Serve immediately to enjoy the crispiest breadcrumbs and most tender seafood
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 160mg