This Mixed Seafood in Creamy Garlic Sauce is an elegant yet easy seafood dinner featuring tender shrimp, squid, and bay scallops in a rich garlic cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this restaurant-quality recipe is perfect for family dinners or special occasions and pairs beautifully with rice, bread, or fried green plantains.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, creamy garlic flavor in every bite.
- Ready in about 25 minutes.
- One-pan recipe with minimal cleanup.
- Packed with tender, juicy seafood.
- Perfect for both weeknight meals and entertaining.
- Easy to customize with your favorite seafood.
Ingredients
- ½ pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ pound squid or calamari, sliced
- ½ pound bay scallops
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For Serving (Optional)
- Fried green plantains (patacones or tostones)
- Latin-style rice
- Tomato and onion salad
- Crusty bread
- Steamed vegetables
Instructions
- Lightly season the shrimp, squid, and scallops with salt.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, then increase the heat slightly and simmer for 1 minute.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cook until the shrimp are almost fully cooked.
- Add the squid and bay scallops, cooking for 2–3 minutes until just opaque and tender. Avoid overcooking the seafood.
- Taste the Mixed Seafood in Creamy Garlic Sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Stir in the chopped parsley and remove the skillet from the heat.
- Serve immediately with rice, fried green plantains, crusty bread, or a fresh tomato salad.
Tips & Tricks
- Fresh seafood provides the best flavor, but frozen seafood works well when thawed properly.
- Pat the seafood dry before cooking to prevent excess liquid.
- Do not overcook squid or scallops, as they become tough quickly.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for gentle heat.
- Finish with extra parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon before serving.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Latin American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-Friendly, Low Carb, High Protein, Gluten-Free
Notes
- Replace shrimp with lobster or additional scallops if desired.
- Add mussels or clams for an even richer seafood combination.
- Half-and-half may be substituted for a lighter sauce.
- Fresh herbs like cilantro or basil also complement the creamy garlic sauce.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 360
- Protein: 33g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fat: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 560mg
FAQ
Can I use frozen seafood?
Yes. Thaw completely and pat dry before cooking for the best texture.
What can I substitute for the wine?
Chicken broth with fresh lemon juice creates a flavorful halal-friendly alternative while maintaining brightness in the sauce.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Seafood is best served fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated.
How do I prevent rubbery seafood?
Cook each type of seafood only until opaque and just cooked through. Overcooking is the most common cause of tough seafood.
What sides pair well with this dish?
Rice, fried green plantains, mashed potatoes, pasta, crusty bread, or a crisp green salad are all excellent choices.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended because the cream sauce may separate.
- Reheating: Warm gently over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently. Avoid boiling.
Similar Recipes
Mixed Seafood in Creamy Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- ½ pound squid or calamari sliced
- ½ pound bay scallops
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For Serving (Optional)
- Fried green plantains patacones or tostones
- Latin-style rice
- Tomato and onion salad
- Crusty bread
- Steamed vegetables
Instructions
- Lightly season the shrimp, squid, and scallops with salt.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, then increase the heat slightly and simmer for 1 minute.
- Stir in the heavy cream and cook until the shrimp are almost fully cooked.
- Add the squid and bay scallops, cooking for 2–3 minutes until just opaque and tender. Avoid overcooking the seafood.
- Taste the Mixed Seafood in Creamy Garlic Sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Stir in the chopped parsley and remove the skillet from the heat.
- Serve immediately with rice, fried green plantains, crusty bread, or a fresh tomato salad.
Notes
- Replace shrimp with lobster or additional scallops if desired.
- Add mussels or clams for an even richer seafood combination.
- Half-and-half may be substituted for a lighter sauce.
- Fresh herbs like cilantro or basil also complement the creamy garlic sauce.
Conclusion
This Mixed Seafood in Creamy Garlic Sauce is a luxurious yet simple one-pan recipe that brings together tender shrimp, squid, and scallops in a velvety garlic cream sauce. Whether served with fluffy rice, warm bread, or crispy fried plantains, it’s a comforting seafood dinner that’s sure to impress while remaining easy enough for any night of the week.