An easy recipe for baked scallops with a wonderful sauce of butter, lemon, and Parmesan. Perfect over cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower!
This delicious recipe for baked scallops is always a big hit, whenever I make it. Everyone raves about it and asks for the recipe! I make this recipe for guests because it’s foolproof and liked by everyone. But I also make it for my family, because it’s healthy, tasty, and very easy to make.
I originally published this recipe in 2016. This blog has since gained many new followers. So I am republishing it today because I don’t want my new readers to miss out on a truly amazing recipe!
What is the best way to cook sea scallops?
I love to bake sea scallops. I do love my recipe for seared scallops and make it often. The beautiful crust that forms on seared scallops is amazing. And these broiled scallops are phenomenal. They are cheesy and delicious.
But baking is by far the easiest way to cook sea scallops. And when baked in a tasty sauce, they come out so flavorful and succulent.
This recipe is delicious. It is also very easy to make – easier than sauteed scallops, for sure. And the buttery-cheesy topping is just wonderful.
How to serve these baked scallops?
The dish comes out of the oven quite saucy and the sauce is exquisite, so make the most of it. If you don’t mind carbs/gluten, serve these baked scallops on a bed of rice or pasta.
If you’re on a low-carb and/or gluten-free diet, cauliflower rice is the perfect solution for you. Mashed cauliflower also works well to soak up the tasty sauce.
I sometimes use a bed of raw spinach leaves when I serve these baked scallops. The hot buttery sauce wilts the leaves just enough to gently cook them. This is actually one of my favorite way to serve these scallops.
Are scallops healthy?
Yes, scallops are healthy, unless of course you’re allergic or have special concerns regarding heavy metal exposure. But for most people, they are a very healthy choice. It’s true that in this recipe the scallops are baked in a rich buttery sauce. But new research tells us that saturated fats are not necessarily bad for us.
Tasty variations on the basic recipe
I love visiting Pinterest and seeing the many ways people make this baked scallops recipe. There are so many great variations! I haven’t actually tried any of them – I like this recipe just as it is – but they sure sound good. Here are a few interesting ideas:
- Add hot sauce for some extra kick.
- Add crumbled bacon.
- Add scallions.
- If you prefer not to use wine, simply omit it. The dish is still amazing.
- Serve over polenta.
- Serve over quinoa.
What to do with leftover baked scallops?
You can keep leftovers for up to 3 days in the fridge, in a sealed container. Reheat them very gently, covered, in the microwave on 50% power.
Baked Scallops
INGREDIENTS
- 2 lb. large sea scallops (15 per pound)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1/4 cup more for topping
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon sea salt)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Rinse the scallops and pat dry. Place in a lightly greased casserole dish.
- In a small bowl, use a fork to mix together the butter, wine, lemon juice, 1/2 cup Parmesan, salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried parsley, and cayenne. Set aside for a couple of minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Spoon a little of the mixture on top of each scallop.
- Cover the pan with foil and bake until scallops are cooked through and opaque, and their internal temperature is 115 degrees F. This should take about 25 minutes if your scallops are extra large, less if they’re smaller. So start checking after 20 minutes.
- Uncover the scallops, sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and with the paprika (mostly added for color), and broil for a minute or two to brown. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve.
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