Here's your main dish for a special night. These scallop recipes are elegant but so easy, your guests would never guess!
Our Best Scallop Recipes
Updated on May 17, 2024
Skillet Sea Scallops
You’ll want to slip this scallop recipe into the front of your last-minute guests file. Pasta and mixed greens nicely complement the tender, citrusy shellfish. —Margaret E. Lowenberg, Kingman, Arizona
1/20
2/20
Scallops in Sage Cream
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to show off the ocean freshness of the scallops I bought on the dock from a local fisherman, so I used basic ingredients to complement them. With sage and shallots, this is the best cream sauce for scallops I've found. —Joan Churchill, Dover, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 408 calories, 28g fat (12g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 441mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 30g protein.
3/20
Simple Herbed Scallops
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Living in Kansas, fresh seafood can be hard to come by. Luckily, frozen scallops aren’t. This dish offers coastal flavor to those of us in the Midwest. —Sarah Befort, Hays, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 260 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 754mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 15g protein.
4/20
Sauteed Scallops & Shrimp Pasta
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this tempting pasta and scallop recipe for my wife. It’s a terrific meal served with crusty sourdough. If you don’t like spice, skip the red pepper flakes. —George Levinthal, Goleta, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 733 calories, 35g fat (13g saturated fat), 210mg cholesterol, 1263mg sodium, 56g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 47g protein.
5/20
Seared Scallops with Citrus Herb Sauce
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Be sure to pat the scallops with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This helps create that perfectly browned and flavorful scallop your better half will love. —April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
3 scallops with 1-1/2 teaspoons sauce: 314 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 691mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 29g protein.
6/20
Stir-Fried Scallops and Asparagus
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Served over quick-cooking ramen noodles, this stir-fry is perfect for busy families on hurried weeknights. Not only do we love the taste, but it comes together in about half an hour. —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 269 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 578mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
7/20
Scallops and Pasta
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A buttery garlic sauce zips up a bowlful of linguine, bay scallops and veggies. Celebrate something special or toast the end of another workday with this dish that's perfectly sized for two. —Paula Jones, Brooksville, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup scallop mixture with 1/2 cup linguine: 281 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 709mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
8/20
Scallops with Wilted Spinach
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Two of my favorite foods are bacon and seafood. In this dish, I get them together with white wine, shallots and baby spinach. Serve with bread to soak up the tasty broth. —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
3 scallops with 1/2 cup spinach mixture: 247 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 964mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein.
9/20
Sea Scallops and Fettuccine
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This luscious, lemony pasta and scallop recipe is so easy, it’s become one of our weekly meal mainstays. But it’s also elegant enough to serve to guests. —Donna Thompson, Laramie, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 421 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 861mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein.
10/20
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Pineapple Quinoa
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the first recipe I developed using quinoa as an ingredient. My husband thoroughly enjoyed helping me test this recipe. This is a special dish that can be easily prepared in under 30 minutes.—Laura Greenberg, Lake Balboa, California
Nutrition Facts:
4 scallops with 3/4 cup quinoa: 455 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1717mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 41g protein.
11/20
Lemony Scallops with Angel Hair Pasta
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicate dish tastes so bright with a touch of lemon and tender sauteed scallops. Serve with crusty whole grain bread, and you have an impressive dinner that comes together in a flash. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 404 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 737mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 25g protein.
12/20
Shrimp ‘n’ Scallops Tropical Salad
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A fruity dressing zip drapes this zippy salad from Jackie Pressinger of Stuart, Florida. Served on a bed of greens, the scrumptious combination of grilled seafood, veggies and macadamia nuts is the perfect way to celebrate a special summer occasion.
Nutrition Facts:
1 salad: 413 calories, 32g fat (4g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 523mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 19g protein.
13/20
Pan-Fried Scallops with White Wine Reduction
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I learned the art of wine reduction from a cooking class...the flavor is fabulous! Despite the fancy title, pan-fried scallops are easy to prepare. —Katherine Robinson, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
4 scallops with 2 tablespoons sauce: 181 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 524mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 fat.
14/20
Stir-Fried Scallops
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Scallops meet mild tomato in this sublime stovetop supper. Try serving the saucy mixture over rice or angel hair pasta, and garnish with cilantro if you like. —Stephany Gocobacki, San Rafael, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 213 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 672mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 fat.
15/20
Citrus Scallops
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I like to eat seafood at least once a week. Oranges and lemon juice give scallops a refreshing burst of flavor. —Cheri Hawthorne, North Canton, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without rice or pasta): 240 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 482mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 fruit.
16/20
Seared Scallops with Polenta and Avocado Cream
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This seared scallops with polenta is a really impressive dish. It’s beautiful but simple and a wonderful dinner party entree. If you can find them, peppadew peppers add a bit of zing, but if you can’t, roasted red peppers will work just fine. Shrimp can also be substituted for the scallops, if you prefer. —Katie Pelczar, West Hartford, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
2 scallops with 1 cup polenta and 2 tablespoons avocado cream: 467 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 1773mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein.
17/20
Air-Fryer Scallops
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I never liked seafood until my husband urged me to try scallops, and now I love it. With the crunchy breading, these air-fryer scallops are the best you’ll ever have. —Martina Preston, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
3 scallops: 298 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 1138mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein.
18/20
Seafood Cakes with Herb Sauce
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
40 appetizers (1/2 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
I live near the ocean and have a wide variety of seafood available to experiment with in recipes. This one uses salmon and scallops, but shrimp, crab, lobster or any firm whitefish (such as halibut or even cod) would work equally as well. — Elizabeth Truesdell, Petaluma, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 seafood cake with about 1/2 teaspoon sauce (calculated without garnishes): 88 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
19/20
Thai Scallop Saute
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Just open a bottle of Thai peanut sauce to give this seafood stir-fry some serious authenticity. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups (calculated without rice): 268 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 1000mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein.
20/20
Cioppino
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic fish stew is just the ticket. It's brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp, and it is fancy enough to be an elegant meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 205 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable.
