This Bacon Wrapped Scallops Pasta is one incredibly delicious and healthy seafood pasta recipe. The creamy cauliflower sauce tastes like Carbonara - no one will know they are eating vegetables.
This post is sponsored by Marina Del Rey whose Icelandic Wild Caught Scallops are the star of this dish.
Do you ever have a meal at a restaurant that is so good you just HAVE to find a way to recreate it at home? This is what happened to me and this seafood pasta recipe!
Way back in the day before I became a mom I used to be a server at an Italian restaurant. While the menu always included some of the classics, there also were some special features that changed seasonally.
One season there was this amazing seafood carbonara pasta. There were scallops and bacon stirred in with the noodles but the highlight definitely were the bacon wrapped scallops on top.
It has been a few years since I last had this scallops and pasta dish but it is still very clear in my mind and on my palate. So when Marina del Rey asked me to create a recipe with their amazing wild caught Icelandic scallops I right away knew I had to make this scallop bacon pasta.
If you have been following along on Leelalicious for a bit, you'll know that I am all about making healthier but just as delicious alternatives. And even if you didn't, now you do know.
Healthier cream sauce for scallops
I couldn't make just any creamy pasta. Instead I went back to my trusted creamy cauliflower sauce that has previously served me well in making a healthier Carbonara dish.
To make this veggie Alfredo sauce steamed cauliflower is blended up with caramelized onion, garlic and broth. For even more creaminess there is a little milk and Parmesan cheese - but these can totally be substituted with a milk alternative and nutritional yeast if you need the sauce to be dairy-free.
If you don't like crispy bits in your pasta or have fussy little eaters to feed, then add the bacon bits into the blender as well. This way you still get the awesome smoky bacon flavor in the sauce without anyone picking out the pieces.
Otherwise, you can just stir in the crispy bacon when combining the pasta and sauce before adding the scallops wrapped in bacon on top.
You could even make the cauliflower Alfredo ahead, if you don't want to stress too much with getting all components ready at the same time.
How to cook bacon wrapped scallops
Cooking scallops is really quite easy - this way at least. Start with only the best scallops which you can be sure of when choosing Marina Del Rey.
All of their seafood is pure and sustainably wild caught by responsible fisheries. You risk none of the additives of hormones, antibiotics, or chemicals that are unfortunately prevalent in farmed seafood.
Marina Del Rey scallops are frozen while they are super fresh (did you know that often frozen seafood actually is fresher than 'fresh' seafood?). Just thaw them, give them a quick rinse and pat dry.
Wrap each of the scallops with bacon - about ⅓ to ½ slice. Secure with a skewer and place on a baking sheet. Yes, these are actually baked scallops!
Baking them takes about 25-30 minutes - just flip them once about 15 minutes in. Otherwise this bacon wrapped scallops recipe is completely hand-off.
Which means you can focus on getting the creamy cauliflower sauce ready and the Fettuccine pasta cooked. For more nutritional value I recommend using whole wheat or a gluten free pasta according to your dietary requirements.
Once the bacon scallops are done, so should be the pasta and sauce. If you made the sauce ahead, just reheat it in a pan and gently stir the pasta in to coat every single noodle strand with sauce.
Then plate the saucy pasta and add the scallop skewers on top. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and bacon bits (unless they are already in the sauce).
Video: How to make bacon wrapped scallops pasta
Recipe
Bacon Wrapped Scallops Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 bag 300 g/10.67 oz Marina Del Rey Icelandic Wild Caught Scallops, thawed
- 1 lb / 450 g bacon divided
- ½ lb / 230 g cauliflower florets steamed
- ½ large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic sliced
- ⅓ cup / 80 ml milk or dairy-free alternative
- ¼ cup / 60 ml broth
- 2 tablespoons / 30 ml Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast, more for topping
- ¼ teaspoon / 2 g sea salt
- ½ pound / 230 g Fettuccine pasta whole grain or gluten-free, cooked al dente
- ¼ cup / 60 ml sliced green onion
Instructions
Bacon-Wrapped Scallops:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Rinse the scallops under cold water and pat dry.
- Cut the bacon strips in half and wrap around each scallop. Secure the bacon with a skewer. Arrange about 2-3 bacon-wrapped scallops per skewer.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the skewers and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bacon has reached desired crispiness.
Creamy Cauliflower Sauce:
- Steam cauliflower florets until softened (but still with a little bite). Set aside to cool.
- Dice the remaining bacon and cook in a pan until crispy. Transfer bacon pieces to paper towel and set aside.
- Leave about 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the pan. Add the onion and garlic and cook on low heat until caramelized/lightly browned.
- Add the steamed cauliflower, onion and garlic to a blender together with milk, broth, Parmesan (nutritional yeast), and salt. You can add the crispy bacon pieces now or stir in later. Blend until smooth and add more liquid (milk, broth or water) as needed to create a creamy texture.
Assembly:
- Cook Fettuccine to directions until al dente.
- Warm the creamy cauliflower sauce in a large skillet or pot until heated through. Stir in the cooked pasta, green onion and cooked bacon pieces (unless previously blended into sauce).
- Plate the pasta and top each serving with bacon-wrapped scallop skewers (6 per serving). Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast) and a few more sliced green onions.
Nutrition
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Marina Del Rey. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Leelalicious possible. This post also includes affiliate links.
Random Questions
Bacon-wrapped scallops are commonly known as "Angels on Horseback."
Soaking scallops in a brine solution for about 15 minutes can help to remove excess moisture and improve their texture when cooked.
Salting scallops before cooking helps enhance their natural flavor and promotes a better sear and caramelization on the outside.
Both butter and oil work well for cooking scallops. Butter can add richness, while oil can handle higher heat. Choose based on your preference and desired flavor profile.
Kay Huether
Yum YUM
Kay Huether
YUM
Megan @ Pip and Ebby
These look incredible! YUM!
Regina
I guarantee it tastes even better!
Meggan Hill
Bacon wrapped scallops? SOLD. Done deal. Your sauce is so clever Regina!
Regina
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Meggan
Teri Turner
Can’t wait to try !
Regina
You'll love it!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
I also just posted a recipe that I had had at a restaurant and have been thinking about recreating it ever since -- the mark of a really good dish! This looks amazing Regina. My husband will love it!
Regina
With food there is inspiration everywhere, but there is a certain kind of satisfaction that comes from being able to 'share' a special dish I once had long time ago with many people
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert
I have never thought about baking scallops but am so intrigued! I adore the Marina del Rey products and cannot wait to try this! That sauce sounds amazing - you really nailed it!
Regina
Thank you for your lovely comment, Tricia!
Mahy
Oh my!! I’m really loving the bacon and having my oven do the trick!! So succulent and delicious looking dish! Can’t wait to make it:)
Regina
Baking the scallops in the oven makes them come out great and frees up time to do everything else
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such a great idea! Love the combination of the bacon scallops with the delicious pasta 🙂
Regina
Thank you so much Jennifer
eat good 4 life
The perfect mixture of flavors. I love scallops with anything really!
Regina
Haha I hear ya! Such a great and healthy protein
Tania Sheff
I am just drooling! Love bacon & scallops! Saving this recipe for later!
Regina
Thank you so much! Aren't bacon and scallops just awesome together
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
What a gorgeous meal, and crazy easy appetizer for the holidays! My husband is mad for scallops, so this is going on our menu asap ~ I just love Marina Del Rey, the quality is through the roof 🙂
Regina
I love how you see the potential of the scallops as an appetizer!
marcie
I love this hands-off approach to scallops, and wrapping them in bacon is brilliant! The lightened up cauliflower sauce sounds just perfect -- what a beautiful dish!
Regina
Thanks so much for your wonderful compliment Marcie! There are really so many awesome parts to this dish
Chris Scheuer
There's something magical about the combination of bacon and scallops! And I love how easy this is to put together too!
Regina
Isn't that the truth! Bacon + Scallops = Magic!!
Jenn Peas and Crayons
Loving this luscious restaurant-inspired dish and it sounds PERFECT for those tasty Marina del Rey scallops! SO DELICIOUS! Can't wait to try it!
Regina
I am so glad I finally recreated this dish that has been sitting at the back of my mind for so long!
Kristen
Those scallops look INSANE! Seriously, they're beautiful. My family loves Marina del Ray shrimp (we eat them all the time) but haven't yet tried their scallops. I'm changing that this week!!
Regina
I know you and your whole family will love their scallops too!
Taylor
OMG Bacon-wrapped scallops?! SOLD!
Regina
Doesn't need much convincing, right? By itself they also make an amazing appetizer
Robyn Gleason
Just loving this easy dish, Regina. Seafood pasta is the best combo on earth! lol. I've got some Marina del Rey scallops in my freezer so these are up next on the menu!
Sharing 🙂
Regina
I can't wait for you to try this, Robyn! Would love to hear what you think