If you have never paired tender, buttery, pan seared scallops with a creamy wine sauce, you are totally missing out! Toss the whole thing with some fresh linguine and crispy crumbled bacon, and you have a very special dinner for two for Valentine’s Day (or any day really, because this stuff is legit.) Originally published February 7, 2019.
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Eric was out of town this week and I realized I’m completely incapable of adulting without him.
I was in the shower this morning when I heard Charlotte bang on the door over my music that was playing. That was somehow the first moment I heard the incredibly loud blaring of our house alarm. Oh no! Why did someone have to break into our house while I’m naked??
And then my second thought was, oh, one of the kids must have gone outside, and I forgot to disarm the house (the usual cause of our alarm going off). Whew, no robber, just a kid! How dare they walk outside?? (As if that were a crime.)
But I asked Charlotte who went outside, and she pointed at the wide open window in my bathroom, which I had just opened, which of course set off the alarm. Eric is always the one to disarm the house in the morning. How can I be expected to remember these things when he’s gone??
Usually when he goes out of town the kids and I fend for ourselves in the kitchen too. I have a hard time being motivated to cook when there’s not another adult around. I mean, kids like sandwiches, right? So do I! There, dinner’s done in 10 minutes and no food battles.
But this time we were eating like kings, because I wanted to try out a fancy Valentine’s Day dinner for you! Have you ever had scallops before?
You will love these Pan Seared Sea Scallops
This was my first time making or even eating scallops. I know, I know, do I live under a rock?? But I was one of those kids who hated seafood, and I’m just waking up to the fact that seafood is actually totally amazing and I’ve been missing out my whole life. I have a lot of new seafood experiences to cover!
I wanted to try making scallops because they just seem so perfect for a sexy dinner for two. For starters, they are crazy expensive (like $20/lb where I live) so that right there makes this special-occasion food. (It’s still cheaper to make them at home than get them in a restaurant though, trust me.) On top of that it is SUPER fast and easy to make pan seared scallops, which means it would be really fun to cook these together in the kitchen on a date.
Plus, and most importantly, pan seared scallops are AMAZING. You will not believe how tender, soft, and buttery they are if you have never made them at home. The outside is seared to a beautiful golden crisp, and the inside just melts in your mouth. Dousing it in creamy wine sauce and sprinkling with bacon just puts it over the top.
Pan Seared Scallops with Sauce Ingredients
Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!
- Scallops (8 oz, the best quality you can find)
- Thick cut bacon
- Shallots
- Champagne vinegar (optional)
- White wine or champagne (I used Sherry cooking wine)
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Dijon mustard
- Fresh thyme (dried is ok too)
- Linguine pasta (8 oz)
- Fresh spinach
- Parmesan cheese
Substitutions and variations
This recipe does stand up to a bit of “do what you want.” Here are some suggestions for what you can substitute to make the dish to your liking.
- If you’re not a fan of scallops or can’t find any locally, substitute shrimp! Buy jumbo unpeeled raw shrimp. You can peel them before or after cooking them.
- For the wine, you can choose Sherry cooking wine (or white cooking wine), your favorite white wine, or champagne.
- If you are using cooking wine and not champagne, consider adding a splash of champagne vinegar for extra complex flavor.
- Don’t like seafood? Leave it out altogether and double the bacon.
- Switch up the pasta. If you don’t have linguine, it’s perfectly fine to use any long pasta–think spaghetti, fettuccine, or even angel hair.
How to make pan seared scallops
1 – Buy the freshest scallops you can find, obviously. I don’t live on the coast so I just bought the frozen kind from the grocery store, and even these were super delicious and briny. Make sure you buy scallops that haven’t been treated with chemicals or water, it messes with the flavor.
2 – Once you thaw them completely according to package instructions, take a minute to remove the side muscle from each scallop. Just slide it off with your finger, it should be quite obvious. It’s easy to do and only takes a second. Sometimes the side muscle falls off on its own and you don’t need to worry about it. They are just a little tough, so we don’t want them in our final dish.
3 – Once your scallops are prepped and ready, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and pan sear in some super hot bacon grease. Bacon grease just makes everything better, what can I say? Plus you will already have it from the bacon that you already crumbled. YES BACON. I’m telling you guys, it’s a winning combination.
How to make the sauce for Pan Seared Scallops
4 – The creamy wine sauce is also super easy to make. I don’t drink alcohol because I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I do love the flavor that cooking wine adds to this dish. I used Sherry cooking wine for this sauce. If you drink, you could just buy a bottle of champagne to enjoy while making this! You need 1 cup for the sauce.
I also added a tablespoon of champagne vinegar to bring in even more of that flavor. It’s an expensive ingredient, and it’s optional, especially if you are using real champagne and not cooking wine. I already had some in my cupboard, but if you don’t see yourself using it again, you can skip it (champagne vinegar does make a really mean salad dressing though).
5 – Once the scallops are seared and the champagne sauce is ready, all you have to do is boil up some pasta and toss in a few handfuls of spinach to wilt at the end. I love the color and texture it adds. Plus, adding spinach means this creamy pasta is totally healthy, right??
I almost forgot to mention, if you are not into seafood much, this is still a killer pasta recipe. Leave out the pan seared scallops and double the bacon! Boom.
What are you guys doing for Valentine’s Day? Going out or staying in? We always celebrate as a family, and then Eric and I go out later when the restaurants aren’t so insanely crowded. But I think we will schedule a date night in with these pan seared scallops, and maybe follow it up with a Bob Ross session. Have you guys ever done an at-home paint night? We are not very talented painters (like, at all) but it is kind of fun to buy canvases and follow along making happy little trees!
What to serve with Pan Seared Scallops Recipe
This recipe is an amazing meal all by itself, but if you’re serving it to someone you want to woo, here are some great sides and desserts to pair with it.
Sides
Oven Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter << because browned butter makes everything better.
Apple Gorgonzola Salad (Buca di Beppo) << ever had this restaurant favorite? It’s a crisp and juicy side for your seafood pasta.
10-Minute Sauteed Zucchini and Squash << so easy to throw together while you’re cooking pasta.
Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing << you just can’t deny the romance that strawberries add to a fancy meal.
Pistachio-Pear Cucumber Salad << the kids wouldn’t appreciate this. That’s why it’s all for the two of you, you lovebirds.
Desserts
Classic Strawberry Shortcake << heaps of sweet strawberries and fresh whipped cream on buttery sweet from-scratch biscuits. I mean.
Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries << the perfect light dessert (or heck, appetizer).
The Best Chocolate Cake << so rich, so moist. A chocolate lover’s paradise.
Flourless Chocolate Cake with Ganache << no gluten, no problem. Even if you aren’t gluten free this is an insanely decadent showstopper.
Oreo Truffles << oh, you thought buying your lover chocolates was impressive? Try making them. Now we’re talking.
How to store Pan Seared Sea Scallops
Scallops and other delicate seafood (like shrimp) don’t reheat well. If you do have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and reheat them on low in a pan on the stovetop. I’m usually all about the microwave, but it will blast your scallops with an intense, texture-ruining heat.
You definitely cannot freeze this recipe. The sauce won’t stay together, the scallops and pasta will be mushy, the bacon will be limp instead of crispy…don’t do it.
Pan Seared Scallops Recipe FAQs
Trick question! Bacon grease is the best. It gives the scallops amazing flavor (hello, it’s bacon). The best part is that you’ll already have it on hand from cooking the bacon for this recipe. If you decide to omit the bacon, you can use canola or vegetable oil or grape-seed oil. None of those oils will smoke (like olive oil might) since you’re using higher heat to sear the scallops.
Yes, but just briefly. Soaking them in water could cause them to absorb water and lose flavor. Just rinse them under cool running water and then thoroughly pat dry with paper towels. This way the salt and pepper will stick when you season them.
Scallops cook really fast. Like, don’t walk away from the stove or even check your phone fast. They should be seared for 1 ½ to 2 minutes on the first side, then seared on the other side for an additional minute with the heat OFF. If you overcook a scallop, it will be tough, not tender. If you don’t often cook seafood you might be used to ground beef or chicken, both of which are far less fussy than scallops.
More fancy (but easy) Valentine dinners you should try out!
Lemon Pasta with Ricotta and Fresh Peas << you could throw seared mussels on top of this dish too, and it would be amazing!
Creamy Tuscan Salmon (30 Minute Dinner!) << Restaurant quality, but super easy to make.
Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken with Asparagus << This is a classic. We love this meal. (also hello low carb!)
Easy Caramelized Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella << this feels so fancy and it’s SOOOO easy. Would be fun to make together on a date.
Lemon Garlic Steamed Mussels from Mama Loves Food
Healthy Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles from Well Plated
Easy Scallop Scampi from A Spicy Perspective
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Scallops Pan Seared in Creamy Champagne Sauce
Ingredients
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 8 ounces scallops, fresh or thawed if they were frozen
- salt and pepper
- 3 large shallots, sliced (about 1 and 1/2 cups)
- salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons flour
- 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar, optional
- 1 cup white wine , or champagne, I used Sherry cooking wine
- 1 & 3/4 cups chicken broth**
- 1/2 cup cream
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, or 3/4 teaspoon dried
- salted boiling water, large pot for pasta
- 8 ounces linguine pasta
- 3-4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, shredded (to garnish)
Instructions
- In a large, high sided skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the bacon is crisp tender. Remove to a paper towel lined plate and set aside. Turn off the heat and use a spoon to transfer some of the bacon grease to a small bowl. Leave about 2-3 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan (for searing scallops).
- While the bacon is cooking, prepare the scallops. Make sure they are completely thaw (run under cool water until they are thaw.) Use your fingers to remove the side muscle from each scallop, if they are there (sometimes it just falls off and you don’t need to worry about it. It’s not difficult to find. The side muscles are just a little bit tough, which is why we are removing them.)
- Pat each scallop dry with a paper towel, then sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Don’t go too crazy, scallops are naturally briny.
- Turn the heat on to medium high. When the bacon grease is very hot and shimmery (but before it smokes! or it will turn black instead of golden) add all the scallops to the pan, one at a time, with at least 2 inches of space in between each scallop.
- Sear scallops on medium high heat for about 1 and 1/2 to 2 minutes, or until there is a golden crust on the bottom. If you look at the side of the scallop, it should look cooked about 1/3 of the way up.
- Carefully flip each scallop, then immediately turn off the heat. Let the other side sear for about 1 minute.
- Remove the scallops to a plate and set aside.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease that you removed back into the pan. Add the shallots to the hot pan (medium high heat). Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Add 2 teaspoons of flour and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar. This is optional (and expensive) so you can skip it if you want. I like the flavor it adds.
- Add 1 cup champagne or white wine. I use a Sherry cooking wine. Turn the heat up to high and cook for about 2 minutes, until it has evaporated some.
- Add 1 and 3/4 cup chicken broth (see note). Continue cooking over high heat for about 3 minutes, until it starts to thicken.
- Turn off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup cream, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, and 2 teaspoons fresh thyme.
- Add the scallops to the pan and coat with sauce to heat through. Keep the burner on low if your pasta is not ready yet.
- Meanwhile, prepare the pasta. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt (or just add salt until it tastes like the ocean).
- Add the linguine and stir. Keep stirring occasionally until the pasta is almost al dente, about 7 minutes. In the last minute of cooking time, add a few large handfuls of spinach to the water. Drain the pasta and spinach and return it to the pot.
- Add about 1 cup of the sauce to the pot of pasta and stir. (if your sauce is not finished, drizzle pasta with olive oil, to keep it from sticking.)
- Divide the pasta between two plates. (see note). Top with scallops and plenty of sauce.
- Microwave the bacon for about 20-30 seconds to warm it.
- Sprinkle each plate with bacon, fresh thyme, and shredded parmesan cheese.
Notes
Adapted from the Bride and Groom First and Forever Cookbook.
This recipe is FABULOUS! We slurped it up with gusto!
I was really excited to make this recipe. I had to add a bit of cream cheese, red pepper flakes, and parmesan cheese to the sauce to thicken it up.
Hi Karen. While I have not tried this recipe, based on my considerable cooking experience, it sounds great! I’m looking forward to making it.
I just wanted to mention to you about cooking wine/sherry. As you mention the reason for using it is because you don’t consume alcohol for religious reasons. You need to check your label. Cooking wine is still wine. Most of it has around 16% ABV.
Hi Jill! Yeah, vanilla is alcohol too and I still put it in my cookie dough :) Nyquil is also in use in my home when somebody has a cold. Religious standards like these must be open to a little interpretation, and for my uses, this is what I’m comfortable with.
Karen, Well said! Keep up the great work. I enjoy your posts. Thank you, Barbara
This looks fabulous. Scallops don’t see that popular these days…
This one’s a keeper and company worthy. I did, however, do some tweeking. My small near-by grocery store does not carry shallots. Large onion it is – diced. We grow garlic so garlic goes in almost every pasta dish. I added 5 diced cloves with the onions then deglazed the pan with a little chardonnay. What really put this over the top was the mustard.
I don’t understand how there are so many negative reviews. Don’t you people taste as you go along?
I’m over here asking myself the same question 😂 so glad it worked out for you! bring on the garlic, wish I were your neighbor!! Thanks for coming back to review, that helps out so much.
Take shallots out, then back in again? Confused.
Hi Murial, you are searing the scallops and removing them, not shallots. Shallots stay in the pan once added :)
I use Knorrs Polo for broth
Ty
I usually follow my instincts on on-line recipes but this one was really rough. The quantities on a lot of the ingredients are WAY Off. First, who slices shallots, I have literally NEVER used shallots except diced. And 1 1/2 cups of shallots for 8 oz of scallops? I used 1/2 cup and diced them. I also found the sauce tasteless . I added some lemon and garlic and put the bacon in the sauce at the end. But by then, the cooking instructions had cooked all the champagne flavor out. If you want something champagne flavored it has to be added near the end or it will all cook out. Way too much liquid too. Mine turned out good but only because I made a lot of changes on the fly.
Hi Betsy, I’m sorry this recipe wasn’t for you! Using lots of shallots/onions and cooking down the wine for a pan sauce is very common (try looking up any other wine based pan sauce). If you add the wine at the end, it’s going to taste overly boozy.
Can this recipe be made with chicken? And If so what would you change if need be? Thank you!
Hi Lisa! Yes definitely! I would follow the instructions on my Chicken Alfredo recipe for how to prep and cook the chicken. Enjoy!
Is cream half and half or whipping cream?
Hi Vivian, it’s whipping cream!
Hoping for the best
I made this fir dinner on New Years eve, my fault, trying a new recipe foe New Years.
I found it to be very tasteless. I even added 2 cloves if minced garlic snd alot more salt and pepper.
Personally a waste of some expensive scallops.
I’m so sorry this recipe didn’t wok out for you Candace! I’m so confused about what went wrong, this is a very basic pan sauce with cream, I’ve made sauces like this a hundred times. Was it the scallops themselves that were lacking in flavor? They are fried in bacon grease, you can’t get much more flavor than that haha. I’m wondering if maybe you just don’t love scallops? Sorry it didn’t work out.
My family’s conclusion as well. I thought about all the things I could do to improve the sauce a second time, but instead decided to never make it again.
Oh my goodness, this looks incredible!
Thank you April! Hard to beat that creamy sauce :)
Thanks so much for this recipe! Made it for dinner tonight and it was a huge hit. Loved the sauce.
I’m so glad you liked it Jill! Hard to beat a creamy wine sauce, right :) Thanks for the review!!
Ok. This sounds amazing!!! Yum! And your photos are gorgeous! Thanks for another great one, Karen!!
Thanks Anita! I got a new camera and these photos are the result of an incredible amount of effort, haha! Huge learning curve on this new camera. So thanks! :)