Scallops Gratin with Garlic Parsley Butter
Scallops Gratin with Garlic Parsley Butter is a luxurious seafood dish featuring tender scallops baked in a rich, creamy garlic parsley butter sauce and topped with a crispy golden gratin crust. Perfect for special occasions or elegant weeknight dinners, this recipe combines fresh scallops with buttery, herbed flavor and a crunchy parmesan breadcrumb topping to create a restaurant-quality meal that’s easy to prepare and impressively delicious.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (use gluten-free breadcrumbs or nuts)
Seafood
- Fresh dry-packed scallops (quantity as per serving size)
Garlic Parsley Butter Sauce
- Unsalted butter, melted
- 2–3 garlic cloves, freshly minced
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped
Gratin Sauce
- Heavy cream, a splash
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Bread crumbs (or gluten-free alternative such as crushed nuts or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
Seasonings and Others
- Lemon juice, a splash
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Garlic Parsley Butter: Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped parsley, cooking gently for about 2 minutes until the garlic softens but does not brown, allowing the butter to absorb the fresh flavors.
- Clean and Dry the Scallops: Rinse the fresh scallops under cold water, then thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels. Removing moisture ensures a better sear and prevents sogginess during baking.
- Assemble the Gratin: Arrange the scallops in a single layer in a baking dish. Spoon the garlic parsley butter evenly over each scallop to coat them well. Pour a small amount of heavy cream over the scallops to enrich the gratin base.
- Prepare the Topping: In a bowl, combine freshly grated Parmesan cheese with bread crumbs (or gluten-free alternative) and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the scallops to form the gratin crust.
- Bake Until Golden and Bubbling: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the dish in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the gratin topping is golden brown, crisp, and the sauce is bubbling.
Notes
- Use dry scallops to avoid excess moisture and achieve better texture.
- Avoid overbaking to prevent the scallops from becoming rubbery.
- Freshly chopped parsley significantly enhances the flavor compared to dried herbs.
- Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for superior melt and taste.
- Let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld and the gratin to firm slightly before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: scallops gratin, garlic parsley butter, seafood gratin, baked scallops, creamy scallops, elegant seafood dish, gluten-free scallops recipe