Description
Enjoy these baked scallops topped with a crispy Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, offering a delightful blend of flavors and textures. Perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy dinner at home, this dish is easy to prepare and sure to please.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound of fresh scallops, cleaned and patted dry
- 1 cup of breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for drizzling
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Rinse the fresh scallops under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Season the scallops lightly with salt and pepper.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic.
- Pour in the melted butter and lemon juice, stirring until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Add the chopped parsley and paprika to the breadcrumb mixture and mix well.
- Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- Arrange the seasoned scallops in a single layer in the baking dish.
- Generously spoon the breadcrumb mixture over each scallop, pressing down slightly.
- Drizzle a little olive oil over the breadcrumb topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, until the scallops are opaque and the topping is golden brown.
- For an extra crispy topping, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let sit for a minute before serving.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley and lemon juice.
- Pair with roasted vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Choosing Scallops: Look for firm scallops with a sweet, briny smell. Avoid those with a strong fishy odor.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs create a lighter, crispier topping, but regular breadcrumbs can be used as well.
- Don’t Overcook: Scallops cook quickly; they should be just cooked through and not rubbery.
- Variations: Experiment with different herbs or add crushed red pepper flakes for heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes