Pan-Seared Scallops is a restaurant-style dish that is easy to make in your home kitchen and will cost you a fraction of ordering them at your favorite restaurant.
And nothings says farm-fresh and healthy like a dish of homemade pesto tossed with pasta.
Updated from original post July 17, 2012
One of the great joys of summer is having an almost endless supply of fresh basil coming from my garden. There is just something so magical about basil and the aroma that just lingers with you……sigh.
Have you ever tried growing basil? It’s really easy to do. In fact, you can buy pre-potted basil at home depot and many of your favorite grocery stores.
Over the years I have used pesto many different ways in a variety of sauces. But I think my favorite use of fresh pesto is to simply toss it with pasta, sprinkle a little grated Romano on it and enjoy the flavors in their purest form. Now that speaks of summer to me, whether I’m picking my own basil, or remembering the days when I got it by the bushel basket……. Fresh basil means summer to me and always will.
The great thing about a simple flavorful pesto is that it goes so well with just about everything, and since it is summer and the scallop boats have been bringing in gorgeous fresh scallops off the Jersey coast, I thought it would be the perfect combination to share with you. To make a new summer memory that we could share, because we are friends, and we are family.
What ingredients do I need to make pan-seared scallops and linguine al pesto?
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Pan-Seared Scallops and Linguine al Pesto. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.
Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.
How do I make Linguine al Pesto?
The first step is toasting the pine nuts.
To toast thr pine nuts get a pan sauté pan very hot, then turn off the heat, and add your pine nuts. Keep the pine nuts moving around so they toast without burning.
*Remove the pan from the heat if the pine nuts start to smoke.
Do I have to use pine nuts to make pesto?
No, you don’t. Walnuts are an acceptable replacement, or you can leave the nuts out altogether. It won’t have a noticeable effect on the flavor.
- remove the leaves from the basil and parsley, do not use the stems
- place the basil, parsley into the food processor, Pulse it until the greens are very well minced
- add your garlic, toasted pine nuts, and grated Romano Cheese into the food processor and pulse to combine
- drizzle in the Olive Oil until it has a nice smooth consistency without looking oily
When the pesto is made you can move on to the scallops. Before cooking the scallops start cooking the pasta. Follow the directions for cooking the pasta on the box or container. The scallops will take 4-5 minutes to cook, so plan accordingly.
*You can keep the cooked scallops in a 225 degree oven until the pasta is cooked.
How do I make pan-seared scallops?
- wash and clean your scallops (remove the little piece of side muscle)
- pat dry the scallops with paper towels
- sprinkle the old bay on both sides of the scallops
- get the pan very hot
- add enough olive oil for a very light coating in the pan. You’re not frying you’re searing the scallops
- add the scallops carefully, not overcrowding the pan (too many scallops will bring down the temperature of the pan)
**Once you place the scallops in the pan, do not move them right away. You want a crust to form on the scallop.
When the scallops are ready, toss the pasta with as much pesto as you like.
*If the pasta seems dry add a little olive oil to it.
Serve the pan seared scallops over the linguine alla pesto and enjoy! I like to add a sprinkle or two of grated Romano cheese to the pasta and a little fresh black pepper.
More Delicious Recipes Featuring Scallops!
Pan Seared Scallops with Linguine al Pesto
Ingredients
Classical Pesto
- 2 bunches of Basil
- ½ bunch of Italian Parsley
- ¼ cup grated Romano cheese
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts
- 2 cloves of Garlic
- ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pan Seared Scallops
- 1 lb fresh sea scallops
- 1 tsp old bay seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Linguine
- 1 pound linguine or your favorite pasta
Instructions
Classical Pesto
- To toast the pine nuts get a pan sauté pan very hot, then turn off the heat, and add the pine nuts to the pan. Keep the pine nuts moving around so they toast without burning.*If the pine nuts start to smoke take the pan off the heat.
- Remove the leaves from the basil and parsley, do not use the stems
- Place the basil and parsley into the food processor, Pulse it until the greens are very well minced
- Add the garlic, toasted pine nuts, and grated Romano Cheese, pulse to combine
- Drizzle in the Olive Oil until it has a nice smooth consistency without looking oily
Linguine
- cook linguine per instructions on the box
Scallops
- wash and clean your scallops (remove the little piece of side mussel)
- pat dry the scallops with paper towels
- sprinkle the old bay on both sides of the scallops
- get your pan very hot
- add enough olive oil to have a light coating in the pan
- add the scallops carefully, not over crowding the pan (too many scallops will bring down the temperature of the pan)
- most importantly once you place the scallops in the pan, do not move them!
- allow the scallop to sear on one side for two minutes, when you turn one scallop you should begin to see a nice caramel color as a light crust forms. If your scallop looks like this continue turning them, if not let them cook a little longer.
- after turning the scallop continue cooking, being careful not to over cook them.
- a scallop will be just a little translucent in the center when it is done (the scallop will continue to cook after you’ve removed it from the pan)
- look at the scallop from the side to determine if it is done.
- the scallop should be a little springy when you push it with your fingers, if it is firm, its overcooked**
Linguine al Pesto
- this is a matter of timing, while the scallops are searing, the pasta should just be getting done; you want to toss the linguine with a few large spoonfuls of the pesto (use as much or as little as you like), as soon as you drain it.
- place the linguine with the pesto back in the pot, and hold on the back of the stove(off burner) until your scallops are done.
- plate pasta and top with scallops, serve immediately!
Notes
Nutrition
Lathiya
These scallops and pasta look delish. I love to have this for our family weekend dinners.
Yfchan
Chef may Can I use sweet basil for pesto? Which type of basil is good for pesto ? Thank you
Chef Dennis Littley
you can use any type of fresh basil you have available. Traditionally its made with a small leaf basil but regular fresh sweet basil is what I generally use.
Julie
What a great recipe for seared scallops! So much flavor here and this is all so delish. I love how wonderful this is for a fancy dinner at home.
Jacqueline Debono
Scallops are my favourite shellfish and we eat them quite often here in Italy. Love the idea of pairing them with pesto pasta. On my to make list!
Amy Liu Dong
From the first glance, I may say that this definitely looks so delicious and enticing. Love the combination you’ve done for this recipe.
Jere Cassidy
I have never cooked scallops and I love them. Glad to have your recipe and techniques. I am making this at home.
Jamie
These are all my favorite things in a delicious pasta! I love scallops and yours look perfectly cooked! My husband will love this!
Kushigalu
Love scallops and this looks so perfect plus pasta has all my favorite flavors. Cant wait to make this for dinner.
Linda
This dish is so delicious! I love fresh scallops and this dish is a lifesaver when I don’t feel like cooking extra
Marta
Thank you for this recipe. Pairing the pesto with sweet scallops was genius. Their contrast was amazing.
Thank you for sharing!
Stine Mari
I love this classical pesto, you just can’t beat toasted pine nuts and lots of basil. Definitely my kind of scallops and linguine!
Natalia
Pasta is a favorite in my house! The combination of pasta and scallops looks just perfect! Definitely adding it to my “must make” list!
Lesli Schwartz
There’s nothing like beautifully seared scallops and you hit the mark with the delicious recipe! Love that you topped the linguine with the scallops. My mouth is watering!
Natalie
Delicious dinner recipe. Love that pesto and all the flavors. I will definitely make this.
Leslie
I am so with you! I love to find recipes to use up my basil in the summertime! Thank you for this!
Elisabetta G
Great recipe. Just had the same meal at Fazzolari’s Restaurant in your Buena NJ. Fantastic too.
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
Good morning, I featured this recipe on my blog today for my weekly seafood round-up. It looks great, thanks for allowing me to share! Here is the link: http://carriesexperimentalkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/08/week-30-seafood-frenzy-friday.html
Rachael @ Mrs-Adventure
This looks AMAZING – thank you so much for including your pesto recipe as well! Nom.
Jennie @themessybakerblog
Scallops are my favorite food ever! I could probably eat them every day without getting bored. This dish looks amazing! I come to your site, drool a little, and crave the dish photographed. Thanks for sharing!
Chris@TheCafeSucreFarine
That first picture took my breath away, quite amazing! The entire meal looks fantastic and your photos are wonderful!
Chef D
Thank you!
DB-The Foodie Stuntman
Basil is my favorite herb because it’s so fragrant. I actually just made some pesto yesterday too. I’ve also been a little scared to cook scallops because I’ve heard they can become overcooked easily, so thank you for this tutorial.
Meg @ Peaches and Cake
This looks amazing! Such an elegant meal. Would be perfect for a date night.
Chef D
It certainly is, My wife loves the simple use of Pesto, not too heavy, just flavorful! It goes great with Prosceco!
Robin
I am obsessed with this dish! The pesto juxtaposed with the slightly spicy scallops – heaven must be like this!
ellenbcookery
Scallops and pesto sound amazing. Thanks for sharing. Something else I learned about basil is to plant them amongst tomato and pepper plants within the garden. The bugs are attracted to the basil rather than the veggies. ~ I can confirm this is true 🙂
Lynn
How funny, I was just given a bunch of basil from a friends garden and made lots of pesto! Most is in the freezer but I left some out. There’s something very calming about simplicity with food. No hoity-toity, no hours spent in the kitchen just simple items that taste amazing. Your use of pesto with scallops here may just be a way to get my hubby to try them!
Laura @ Family Spice
OMG those scallops look plump and perfect!!!! Drooooool!
yumgoggle
Not a real fan when it comes to seafoods. But I am a real pasta eater. I love how you combined the flavors in this dish. You never fail to bring out the best in whatever ingredient you cook with, chef!
anna
i think i have mentioned here that i absolutely love what you do with seafood. i am terrible with it, but a well written recipe like this one gives me hope.
torviewtoronto and createwithmom
colourful filling meal looks delicious
Larry
Delicious looking as always.
Kimby
Chef Dennis, that last photo made me crave scallops more than pasta — a first! Thanks for the link to the Old Bay knock-off, too… have never tried Old Bay (gasp) but was thawing out fish for dinner and it sounds like a marvelous blend. (It’s been too hot for the fish to bite here… thankful for the freezer supply!) Basil is one of those herbs with a scent that evokes memories of family meals before you’ve even added it to a dish — glad you were blessed with a bountiful supply! 🙂
Minnie@thelady8home
The dish looks so very good. Scallops are my favorite seafood, I will pick them up anywhere, in any form, and eat them anytime. And when they are seasoned in this fashioned…gorgeous.
The seasoning is so interesting……I use a lot of spices from scratch. I thnk I want to try this at home and see how it comes out….
Mei-I @ gastronomic nomad
What a lovely surprise!! Basil and mint are the smells of summer to me. Those scallops look so juicy! YMM.
Laureen King
This looks so delicious, I will have to this recipe for sure!
RavieNomNoms
That looks divine! So lovely for the summer months!
kitchenmemories
I’m Italian… I simply can’t resist when I see a dish of pasta!
Betty Ann @Mango_Queen
Oh.My.God. These photos look AMAZING! Those scallops resting on a bed of linguini? Please make me a plate now! I must make it this weekend. Off to the market 1st thing tomorrow. BTW, I should be heading to bed now but instead I am browsing through blogs. All this surfing is making me very hungry. But thanks for sharing a good story and great recipe, Chef Dennis!
Jenn and Seth (@HomeSkilletCook)
i’m not a huge fan of scallops, but yours look so irresistable here! looks like a delicious meal!
Kath
This looks fabulous!! Do you toss the scallops with the Old Bay seasoning before searing, or do you sprinkle the Old Bay on after cooking?
Chef D
hi Kath
sprinkle a little of the old bay on before searing, you can always add a little more afterwards if you like more of that flavor. Thanks for letting me know I left out that step!
Michelle
Oh so yummy. I miss eating scallops. Bon appetit!
Elin
Chef Dennis….old bay seasoning…dont think we can get it over here. Can you tell me what is it made of basically ? I mean what are ingredients that make up the seasoning so that I can imagine the taste of your pan seared scallops. You know I am a Piggy so looking at the photos is not enough. LOL! Great idea to have the scallops for the linguine pesto !
Chef D
hi Elin
there is a link at the end of my post, that will take you to a recipe for making your own, it’s highlighted Old Bay.
it really is a great seasoning for seafood, I think you would like it!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I love pan seared scallops but I’ve never served them with pesto – fabulous idea!
The Mom Chef
You had me at scallops. I can’t remember the last time I had one; curse the tight budget. Yours are so perfectly cooked. The pesto pasta is the perfect thing to serve them with.
Jen @JuanitasCocina
One of our favorite dinners is shrimp boil, using TONS and TONS of Old Bay. LOL!
I love fresh pesto. One of my favorite things in the world. I so wish scallop boats came in to visit me…I’d eat them all of the time!
Jeanette
I’m a Maryland girl, so my kids love Old Bay Seasoning. We have been making lots of pesto this summer. I’ve even managed to sneak in some Swiss chard and kale in my pesto and the kids haven’t even noticed.