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    Scallop Spaghetti in White Wine Sauce

    By Julia | Updated: Jan 22, 2024 | Published: Jan 24, 2019 | 136 Comments

    227.6K shares
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    This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.

    Scallop Spaghetti in Creamy White Wine Butter Garlic Sauce with Capers - a gourmet meal that's easy to make!  Scallops are first seared and then smothered in creamy butter garlic pasta sauce with capers.  You'll love this Italian pasta.  Scallops are moist and full of flavor!

    Scallop Spaghetti in Creamy White Wine Sauce

     

    Looking to introduce something new into your weeknight dinner menu?  Then, make this scallop spaghetti with white wine sauce!  Your family will love it!  This Italian style pasta looks fancy and presentable like an entree from a gourmet restaurant.  But it's easy to make.

    What do scallops taste like?  Scallops have a mild, buttery, almost sweet taste.

    What to serve with scallops? They taste amazing on their own like these seared scallops with bacon in lemon cream sauce.   You can serve them roasted asparagus or green beans. Scallops are also fantastic with creamy pasta and garlic.  Take a look at this delicious scallop pasta with creamy Mozzarella sauce.

    What makes this recipe special

    • The simple alfredo sauce is made with white wine!  Wine adds so much dimension to a regular pasta sauce.  Use Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc.
    • The scallops and pasta absorb the creamy white wine sauce with garlic.  You get the creamy deliciousness with every bite!  You will love the addition of capers to the creamy pasta sauce.

    Scallop Spaghetti in Creamy White Wine Sauce

    Scallop Spaghetti

    • Scallops are pan-seared in the skillet with olive oil until crispy.  They acquire a beautiful golden crust that will make your dinner look very gourmet and appetizing.
    • Pan-seared scallops and pasta are then combined with easy-to-make white wine garlic sauce.  Because the sauce uses butter, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream, you can call this dish scallop pasta alfredo.
    • Creamy white wine butter garlic sauce also features capers.  They provide a sharp and salty taste to the scallops and pasta.

    Why make this recipe

    • Because the scallops are smothered in a creamy sauce, they are moist and flavorful.  You don't have to worry about overcooked scallops when you combine them with creamy pasta.  White wine butter garlic sauce will make scallops taste creamy and soft.
    • What's great about scallop pasta recipes is that you don't have to worry about a side dish.  You get a complete meal in a single dinner.
    • The scallop pasta in white wine sauce with capers looks very gourmet, but it's easy to make.

    Scallop Spaghetti in Creamy White Wine Sauce

    Best scallops to use for pasta

    • Use sea scallops.  They are big size scallops that are usually about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter.
    • Because of their large size, sea scallops are easy to sear.  Using them will make it easy to get that nice golden crust on your scallops.

    How to thaw frozen scallops

    • Thaw frozen scallops in the fridge overnight.
    • Do not use a microwave oven.  Don't thaw on the kitchen counter.
    • After thawing and right before cooking, pat dry scallops with paper towels.

    Creamy white wine butter garlic sauce

    This is a creamy sauce featuring cream and Parmesan cheese - perfect for scallop pasta:

    • First, cook butter, olive oil, and minced garlic on medium heat for about 1 minute, until garlic softens. Then add white wine and bring to boil.  Boil for several minutes until the wine reduces in half.
    • Next, add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer and stir for several minutes until the sauce thickens.
    • Remove from heat.
    • Stir in drained capers and freshly squeezed lemon juice.  Season with salt and pepper.

    Tips for searing scallops

    • Use a large skillet. This will give you more surface for searing more scallops. It's important not to overcrowd scallops. If you use a small or medium-size skillet, you might have to sear scallops in 2 batches.
    • Use a stainless steel skillet or cast iron skillet.  These skillets work best for searing and creating a golden crust.
    • Make sure the scallops are completely thawed. Pat dry scallops with paper towels.
      Scallop Spaghetti in Creamy White Wine Sauce

    Variations

    Scallops and pasta in white wine sauce might look like a gourmet meal, but there are many variations you can make to this recipe:

    • Use any type of pasta with long strands.  Use spaghetti, fettuccine, pappardelle, or linguine pasta.
    • To make creamy alfredo sauce you can use any of these cheeses: Parmesan, Mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, or Asiago.
    • Best wines to use for white wine sauce: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio.

    Delicious gourmet scallop recipes

    If you enjoyed this scallop spaghetti, take a look at other delicious recipes:

    • Scallop Pasta with Creamy Mozzarella Sauce
    • Seared Scallops with Bacon in Lemon Butter Sauce
    • Seared Scallops with Creamy Lemon Caper Sauce
    scallop spaghetti in white wine sauce
    4.78 from 245 votes

    Scallop Spaghetti in White Wine Sauce

    Scallop Spaghetti in White Wine Butter Garlic Sauce with Capers is a gourmet meal that you can easily make at home.   Scallops in white wine butter sauce are moist and full of flavor!  Pasta with creamy garlic sauce works great with scallops!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories per serving 697 kcal
    Author: Julia

    Ingredients

    White Wine Sauce

    • 1  tablespoon  butter
    • 1  tablespoon  olive oil
    • 4  cloves garlic minced
    • 1 cup white wine
    • 1  cup  heavy cream
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
    • 2  tablespoons  capers  drained
    • 1  teaspoon  lemon juice  freshly squeezed
    • salt to taste

    Pasta

    • 8 oz spaghetti

    Seared Scallops

    • 1  pound  scallops  medium size, about 12-14 scallops, thawed completely if frozen
    • ¼  teaspoon  salt
    • 2  tablespoons  olive oil
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    Instructions 

    How to make white wine sauce

    • In a medium skillet, heat butter, olive oil and minced garlic on medium heat.
    • Cook for about a minute, until garlic softens.
    • Add wine.  Bring to boil.  Boil for several minutes until the amount of wine reduces approximately to half.
    • Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.  Bring to boil, and immediately reduce to simmer.   Simmer for a couple of minutes, stirring at all times, until the sauce thickens a bit.
    • Remove from heat.  Stir in drained capers and freshly squeezed lemon juice.  Season with salt and pepper.  Taste, add more lemon juice, salt and and pepper if needed. Keep covered.

    Pasta

    • Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain.  Add to the sauce, stir to combine.

    How to sear scallops

    • If using frozen scallops, make sure the scallops are thawed completely.
    • Blot each scallop with paper towels to remove extra water.
    • Season scallops with salt
    • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet on high heat until hot but not smoking. Oil should not be smoking, just rolling easily around the skillet.
    • Add scallops without overcrowding the pan.
    • Sear on one side for about 4 minutes until the scallops are a golden color. Don't move the scallops around the pan in the beginning.
    • Turn the scallops to the other side and cook for 2 or 3 more minutes.
    • Remove from heat and transfer the scallops to the plate immediately.
    • Don't allow the scallops rest in the hot skillet, off heat.  That will make them steam and lose their crust.
    • Add cooked scallops to the spaghetti with the creamy white wine sauce and reheat gently. Serve.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Information
    Scallop Spaghetti in White Wine Sauce
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    697
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    39
    g
    60
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    18
    g
    113
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    120
    mg
    40
    %
    Sodium
     
    924
    mg
    40
    %
    Potassium
     
    457
    mg
    13
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    50
    g
    17
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    2
    g
    2
    %
    Protein
     
    24
    g
    48
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1010
    IU
    20
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    2.1
    mg
    3
    %
    Calcium
     
    145
    mg
    15
    %
    Iron
     
    1.5
    mg
    8
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Nutrition Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Keyword scallop spaghetti, scallops and pasta in white wine sauce, scallops with pasta and garlic
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kim

      December 30, 2023 at 7:16 pm

      This was better than the seafood alfredo at the restaurant we love to go to. Next time Im going to use shrimp and scallops. I think I will make this for our next potluck dinner using seafood stuffed shells with this sauce. Keep up the great work. Kim

      Reply
      • Julia

        December 31, 2023 at 9:52 am

        Kim, wow, thank you for your rave review - I really appreciate it! ❤️ Great idea to use both shrimp + scallops next time! Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year! ❤️❤️

        Reply
    2. Adele

      October 04, 2023 at 6:06 am

      This recipe turned out really well… loved the capers to add a different flavour to the dish. Very easy to make!

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 21, 2023 at 7:34 pm

        Adele, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and the 5-star rating! ❤️

        Reply
    3. Sandra

      March 24, 2023 at 11:06 pm

      Very quick, easy and delicious. Would be great with shrimp or chicken.

      Reply
      • Julia

        March 25, 2023 at 10:30 am

        Thank you, Sandra!

        Reply
    4. Judy Lamond-Dawson

      February 19, 2023 at 7:08 pm

      I made this for supper tonight excellent my husband and I really enjoyed it I did brown scallops fist and used same cast iron pan to make sauce will be making this again 5 stars

      Reply
      • Julia

        March 18, 2023 at 9:26 pm

        Judy, thank you for this rave review! Love it! ❤️

        Reply
      • Ned Overton

        October 06, 2023 at 7:18 pm

        Delicious! The capers and lemon juice made for an amazing sauce. Mrs. O said it was an award winning dinner. Thanks Julia!

        Reply
        • Julia

          October 21, 2023 at 7:07 pm

          Ned, I am so glad this recipe was a success! Thank you for sharing this positive feedback! ❤️

          Reply
    5. Allie

      January 09, 2023 at 4:45 am

      Absolutely delicious! We doubled the sauce to make sure we had an ultra rich, feel-good winter meal. Can’t get over how great it was!

      Reply
      • Chris Zettler

        January 21, 2023 at 7:30 pm

        Very good. I seared the scallops, removed them and cooked the sauce in the same pan. I deglazed the pan with the white wine, making the flavour of the sauce quite rich.

        Reply
        • Julia

          January 22, 2023 at 2:48 pm

          Chris, you made this recipe more efficient - love it! White wine adds so much flavor to the sauce - glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

          Reply
          • Anne

            January 31, 2023 at 5:40 pm

            I wasn't able to get my scallops as golden brown as in the photo, but the meal was delicious.

            Reply
            • Julia

              February 13, 2023 at 7:42 pm

              Anne, I am glad this dish turned out well!

      • Julia

        January 22, 2023 at 5:03 pm

        Allie, this recipe is a perfect Winter comfort food with seafood! 🙂 I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Della-Marie Caccamo

      January 06, 2023 at 2:07 pm

      Wow Julia! This was our New Year's Eve dinner and it was just fabulous! We love your recipes and every one I have made has been a success. Our dinner guests are pleased and ask for the recipe and I happily share my source and recommend you to others. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Julia

        January 07, 2023 at 8:06 pm

        Della-Marie, your comment really made my day! 🙂 So glad my recipe was part of your New Year's Eve dinner and thank you for recommending my recipes to your friends! 🙂 Happy New Year!

        Reply
    7. Sandra Mitchell

      January 02, 2023 at 10:54 am

      Ok

      Reply
    8. Lisa

      December 31, 2022 at 8:24 pm

      My New Years Eve dinner. Just perfect and delicious

      Reply
      • Julia

        January 07, 2023 at 9:10 pm

        Lisa, so glad you chose this recipe for your holiday dinner! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Bindiya Bodian

      December 24, 2022 at 6:45 pm

      Looks incredibly delicious!
      Do you have a video of this on YouTube?

      Reply
    10. Jess

      November 06, 2022 at 8:32 pm

      Amazing recipe! Thank you so much. I enjoyed making it and looking forward to the next time. My family loved it.

      Reply
      • Julia

        November 07, 2022 at 2:12 am

        Jess, I am so happy you've enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for the comment and the 5-stars! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Amy S

      October 14, 2022 at 8:32 pm

      This is what I've been looking for, for years. It is perfect. I of course tweaked it to my taste, (added more lemon and a bit more wine) and I l my crowd was very pleased!!!! Thank you for posting this

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 28, 2022 at 8:25 pm

        Amy, this is one of the best comments - thank you! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
      • Tina

        December 13, 2023 at 8:36 pm

        Can the sauce be made in advance?

        How are leftovers reheated?

        Reply
        • Julia

          December 14, 2023 at 10:24 pm

          Tina, I wouldn't make the sauce in advance - creamy sauces like that tend to lose their texture when reheated. If you do have leftovers, I would reheat them in a skillet on the stove top on low heat, gradually adding small amounts of extra half-and-half or cream to think out the sauce.

          Reply
    12. ker

      October 13, 2022 at 8:05 pm

      it was soo good and easy to make even for me ( a thirteen year old )

      Reply
      • Julia

        October 28, 2022 at 8:39 pm

        Ker, I am so flattered that you (as a thirteen-year-old) found this recipe easy, tasty, and practical to make. Thank you for taking the time to share this comment!

        Reply
    13. Maria

      September 09, 2022 at 5:32 pm

      Very good recipe thanks

      Reply
      • Julia

        September 12, 2022 at 2:58 pm

        Maria, you are very welcome!

        Reply
        • Kathy and Gene

          October 06, 2023 at 12:06 am

          We made this for supper, didn't have scallops but used shrimp instead. It was really good, we'll make it again for sure. Thanks for recipe.

          Reply
          • Julia

            October 21, 2023 at 7:13 pm

            Kathy, I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Shrimp works great here!

            Reply
            • K.L.

              December 26, 2023 at 5:53 pm

              If I don't have regular white wine, can i replace it with white cooking wine?

            • Julia

              December 28, 2023 at 1:33 pm

              K.L., yes, you can use white cooking wine. Enjoy! 🙂

    14. Kerry J

      September 02, 2022 at 3:39 pm

      Excellent recipe!! Definitely going into the regular rotation! My husband and I both devoured it!

      Reply
      • Julia

        September 03, 2022 at 4:19 pm

        Kerry, I am so happy to hear that! Thank you for the comment and the 5-star rating! 🙂

        Reply
    15. Kathy Holley

      August 28, 2022 at 6:55 am

      Excellent. Went together very fast.

      Reply
      • Julia

        August 29, 2022 at 6:11 pm

        Kathy, I am glad you loved the recipe! 🙂

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Julia!

    I am a full-time food blogger living in beautiful Colorado. I focus primarily on savory recipes (protein-based & fiber-rich main dishes, pasta, salads) using fresh & seasonal ingredients. A food blogger since 2012, I help home cooks create well-balanced and visually appealing dinners (many of which are 30-minute ONE-PAN meals). Find out more about me and my cooking philosophy. 

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