Lugano – Seafood pasta remains one of the most popular restaurant-style meals to recreate at home thanks to its rich flavor, elegant presentation, and surprisingly simple preparation.

Combining pasta with shrimp, scallops, mussels, and garlic butter sauce creates a comforting dish that feels both luxurious and easy enough for a weeknight dinner. 

The mix of seafood also adds different textures and flavors, while garlic, herbs, and lemon help keep the dish light and fresh.

Unlike heavier cream-based pasta dishes, garlic butter seafood pasta feels lighter while still delivering bold flavor. 

It can also easily be customized depending on the seafood and pasta available at home.

Ingredients

  • 300g linguine or spaghetti

  • 200g shrimp, peeled

  • 200g mussels or clams

  • 150g scallops

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 4 tablespoons butter

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • ½ cup white wine or seafood broth

  • Fresh parsley

  • Salt and black pepper

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a small cup of pasta water before draining.

In a large pan, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and chili flakes, cooking for about one minute until fragrant.

Add the scallops and cook for two minutes on each side until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.

Add shrimp, mussels, and white wine or seafood broth to the pan. 

Cover and cook for several minutes until the mussels open and the shrimp turns pink.

Return the scallops to the pan and add the cooked pasta. 

Toss everything together gently, adding a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Finish with lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper.

For extra flavor, the pasta can also be topped with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, or a drizzle of chili oil.