Description
Golden, pan-seared scallops nestled in a rich and spicy Cajun cream sauce—this recipe balances heat and creaminess to highlight the natural sweetness of the scallops. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a gourmet-style seafood dish perfect for a special night in.
Ingredients
6 to 8 large sea scallops
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Pat the scallops dry thoroughly with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear scallops for 2 minutes on each side or until a golden crust forms. Remove and set aside.
4. In a small saucepan, melt a bit of butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
5. Stir in Cajun seasoning and paprika, then pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
6. Add Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted.
7. Add lemon juice and let the sauce thicken slightly for 2-3 minutes.
8. Return scallops to the sauce just to warm through.
9. Spoon sauce over scallops and serve immediately.
Notes
Always pat scallops dry before searing to get a crisp golden crust.
For extra sauce richness, use freshly grated Parmesan rather than pre-shredded.
The sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (half recipe)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: scallops, seafood, Cajun, cream sauce