There's something about seafood and pasta that just belongs together. The way the strands wrap around a succulent shrimp or dip into the shell of mussel makes it a marriage in heaven. This Gluten Free Seafood Pasta with Roasted Pepper Sauce will be your new favorite way to celebrate all things sea.
This elegant and boldly flavored dish is perfect for any date night at home. It feels like a special occasion while making the average weeknight an occasion unto itself.
It's All About Ingredients
The heart of this dish is the decadent and comforting pasta begging to be hugged in sauce. Just because something is gluten free doesn't mean it should sacrifice not only flavor, but also texture.
For this recipe I am using Charlie's Table Bucatini. Charlie's Table is certified Gluten Free, artisanal, fresh pasta made in the traditional Italian way with bronze-cut dies. The benefit of using bronze-cut dies is that the sauce clings to the pasta that much better.
Because this is fresh pasta it cooks up quickly, making this elegant meal come together in less than 30 minutes. From boiling water to draining, it's only three minutes.
Seafood is also the star of Gluten Free Seafood Pasta with Roasted Pepper Sauce. I am using a trio of shrimp, scallops, and mussels.
When purchasing your scallops, you want to make sure to buy dry scallops if possible. This refers to the way they were packaged. Dry scallops not only sear better, they have that sweet, delicate flavor. Wet scallops on the other hand are preserved in a chemical solution that not only affects the color but the flavor.
The same also goes for buying shrimp. While shrimp is readily available regardless of where you live, always look to see what the ingredients are if buying frozen. Shrimp should be the only ingredient listed. Not salt, and definitely not any sort of preservatives.
Seafood 101
As elegant Gluten Free Seafood Pasta with Roasted Pepper Sauce, it's equally as easy. I'm going to take you step by step so you're on your way to impressing your family and friends.
Beginning with your seafood, you want to make sure to remove the extra muscle, or foot, from the side of your scallops if it's still attached. It will peel off easily. You also want to make sure they're completely dry. This will help you achieve that beautiful seared crust.
You also want to dry off your shrimp once you peel and devein them if you're using shell on shrimp. Lightly season both with salt and pepper.
For the mussels, if you are using live mussels you will want to soak them for at least 20 minutes. This allows them to spit out any sand that might possibly make them grainy. Add them to another bowl of clean water and if they have a beard, gently pull it off before giving them another rinse.
Cook your seafood in batches. You want your skillet, cast iron if possible, fully heated before adding your shrimp. The cook quickly, 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Do not over crowd the pan because you want them to sear, not steam.
The same holds true for the scallops. Make sure your pan is hot. Sear the scallops 2-3 minutes per side. They will be caramelized on top and white on the sides. They should be firm to the touch but with a little spring back.
The mussels in Gluten Free Seafood Pasta with Roasted Pepper Sauce go into the same skillet after the shrimp. Cover them with a lid and allow the heat to steam them. This should only take about five minutes. Discard any mussels that do not open.
Getting Saucy with Gluten Free Seafood Pasta with Roasted Pepper Sauce
When it comes to the pasta sauce, roasted red peppers are the star. You can use jarred roasted peppers or roast them yourself. The choice is completely up to you.
This sauce gets its velvety texture from being blended in the blender until smooth and emulsified. There's no need for perfectly small and precise cutting since it's going to do all of the work for you.
As long as it takes you to toss the cooked pasta, seafood, and the sauce in the pan is about as long as it takes to cook. You're just looking for it to thicken and hug that pasta, about five minutes.
Do you love pasta as much as I do? Make sure you check out my recipe for Gluten Free White Wine Chicken Pasta. Now let's get cooking!
Gluten Free Seafood Pasta with Roasted Pepper Sauce
Equipment
- Stock Pot
- large skillet with lid
Ingredients
- 1 pkg Gluten Free pasta cooked according to dirctions
- ½ lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ lbs scallops, muscle removed, patted dry
- ½ lbs mussels, cleaned
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- ½ cup Dairy Free butter, room temperature
- 2 tbsp scallions
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- pinch of red pepper
- 12 oz roasted red peppers, patted dry
- ½ cup oat milk
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp parsley
- 2 tsp garlic, minced
- 2 egg yolks
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to directions. When using fresh pasta be mindful it cooks quickly.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Lightly season shrimp with salt and pepper. Saute the first side 2-3 minutes and then flip them, cooking 2-3 minutes more. They should be pink. Set aside.
- Add more olive oil if needed and heat on medium. Add scallops and sear 2-3 minutes before flipping. Cook that side 2-3 minutes more. The tops should be caramelized and bronzed and the sides white and opaque. They should be firm to the touch but with a spring. Set aside.
- Add the mussels to the pan and cover. Allow them to cook for five minutes or until they are all opened. Discard any that don't open. Set aside.
- Add all of the ingredients for the roasted red pepper sauce to a blender. Blend until smooth and velvety.
- Add the cooked pasta, seafood, and sauce to the skillet on medium heat, toss to combine and allow to cook five minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Enjoy!
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