Scallop and Asparagus Farfalle is a sophisticated yet simple pasta dish that perfectly balances the sweet, tender scallops with the bright, slightly earthy flavor of asparagus. Combined with the delicate farfalle (butterfly-shaped pasta), this dish is light, refreshing, and packed with vibrant flavors. It’s a great option for a dinner party, a special celebration, or just a delicious meal when you want to impress with minimal effort.
The dish begins with fresh scallops, which are seared in hot oil or butter until golden and slightly caramelized on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. The scallops lend their natural sweetness to the dish, pairing beautifully with the asparagus. The asparagus is trimmed, cut into bite-sized pieces, and sautéed until just tender, keeping its crispness while absorbing the flavor from the garlic and butter.
The farfalle is cooked until al dente and then tossed with the scallops and asparagus, allowing the pasta to soak up the flavors of the sauce created by the searing of the scallops and sautéing of the vegetables. A splash of white wine, lemon juice, and a pinch of zest can be added to brighten the dish, giving it a refreshing and tangy edge that ties all the flavors together.
A handful of fresh herbs, like parsley or basil, is stirred in at the end, adding a touch of greenery and a fragrant finish to the dish. A sprinkle of Parmesan or Pecorino cheese can be added for a creamy finish, though it’s optional as the dish already has a lovely depth of flavor.
Scallop and Asparagus Farfalle is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and fresh. The scallops offer a rich, luxurious flavor, while the asparagus provides a crisp texture and earthy taste. The farfalle brings it all together in a satisfying, elegant way.
In summary, Scallop and Asparagus Farfalle is a light yet indulgent pasta dish that showcases the beauty of fresh seafood and vegetables. With its clean, vibrant flavors and a simple, well-balanced sauce, it’s a dish that’s sure to become a favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 pound farfalle pasta
- 1 pound scallops
- 1 pound asparagus trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the farfalle pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season the scallops with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the scallops and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove the scallops from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the asparagus to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until tender-crisp.
- Return the cooked farfalle pasta to the skillet with the garlic and asparagus. Toss to combine.
- Divide the pasta mixture into bowls and top with the seared scallops.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
The garlic really brings the flavor out! I may have used too much oil though. Still yum!
I totally agree, garlic makes everything better! And more oil just makes it richer! Yum!
Yum! My whole family loved it. They said I should make it again soon! Great dish! 👍
This recipe was amazing! The scallops were cooked to perfection, and the asparagus added a nice crunch. Will definitely make it again!
Scallops + asparagus is such a good combo. The farfalle shape holds onto the garlicky oil nicely. I served it with crusty bread and basically nobody shared.
My kids wouldn’t eat it 🙁. Too fancy for them I guess.
This is too fancy. My husband won’t eat asparagus, what do I do? I’m confused.
Yuck! I hate seafood, and these scallops made me sick! Why would anyone eat this?
Seafood isn’t for everyone, but you gotta admit, scallops have a unique flavor. Maybe you just had bad ones? 🤷♂️
I totally disagree! Scallops are delicious! It’s just the way you prepare them. Maybe you should try them in a different recipe!
I think it could use some cheese or something. A little bland without it. 🤷♂️
I dunno, I think the scallops have enough flavor on their own. Cheese might drown it out.
Totally agree! Cheese would really elevate the flavors. Maybe some parmesan on top?
Pasta! 😍
Gonna try this without the asparagus. Don’t like green stuff lol.
Wasn’t a fan. The asparagus was too crunchy, and I couldn’t get the scallops right. I think I’m doing something wrong.
Maybe try cooking the asparagus a bit longer? I love this recipe and never had issues with the scallops! Keep trying! 😊
This was delicious! The scallops were perfectly cooked. Will definitely make again!
Delicious! Perfect dinner for date night. I added some parmesan on top. A+
I didn’t have scallops, so I used shrimp instead! Still turned out great.
Too complicated, I prefer easy microwave meals. I’m not a chef!
This dish is amazing! The scallops were perfectly cooked. My family loved it!
This is tasty but it feels a little “simple” for the scallops price. Like, where’s the lemon, butter, or sauce? Still good—just not mind-blowing for me.
I followed the recipe exactly but found it a bit bland. Maybe add some lemon juice next time? 🤷♂️
I found it bland too! Maybe try some red pepper flakes for a kick? 🌶️
Pretty solid recipe. I was worried about cooking scallops too long, but 2-3 minutes per side worked for me. Next time I might add a squeeze of lemon for extra pop.
My pasta turned mushy. I might’ve over cooked it. But the scallops were good!
Made this tonight and it was restaurant-level. The scallops cooked up perfectly—nice sear without getting rubbery. The asparagus stayed bright too. Will definitely make again.
Wow, that’s awesome to hear! I’m glad the scallops got that nice sear without turning rubbery and the asparagus stayed bright—exactly what we’re aiming for. Thanks for coming back to share!
This is too fancy for me but I tried it anyway. Didn’t turn out like the pictures I made up in my head—still delicious though. Garlic smelled amazing.
Wait, asparagus with pasta? That sounds weird. I won’t be trying this.
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The combination of scallops and asparagus is a game changer. Definitely a keeper! 🌟
This was amazing! The scallops were perfectly cooked and the flavors just popped.
So easy to make! I added some lemon juice at the end and it was fantastic!
Lemon juice? That’s a cool idea! I never thought of that. I usually stick to the recipe but I might try it next time!
It can’t be that easy! I don’t trust recipes that call for scallops. They’re tricky!
I wonder if frozen scallops work? Fresh ones are too expensive where I live.
Not bad but why is there no cheese? Everything is better with cheese! Disappointed here.
I think 1 pound of scallops is a lot for 1 pound of pasta (maybe that’s just my budget 😂). But if you’ve got the scallops, it’s worth it. Flavor was great and the timing was simple.
I used shrimp instead of scallops and it turned out great! Love this recipe.
It felt like something was missing in this dish. Maybe a sauce or something? My family didn’t love it.
I totally agree! It definitely needs a sauce to bring out more flavors. Maybe something like a cream sauce or a lemon butter? My family also thought it was kinda bland.
What do you mean missing? It’s just pasta and seafood, not much more needed. Just add some hot sauce if it’s bland for ya.
Really good combo of flavors. I did 2 minutes per side for the scallops and it worked well. Next time I’ll use a bit less oil—still tasty though.
Glad it worked for you! 2 minutes per side sounds perfect depending on scallop size—less oil is a smart tweak too. 😊
Honestly, I can’t eat scallops. I think I’ll just stick with chicken next time. Any ideas?
Scallops are great but I get it! You can just cook chicken with the same garlic and asparagus combo, should be good too.
Hey! You could try making a chicken alfredo with pasta instead! It’s super creamy and delicious!
Too much work for a simple meal, I don’t believe the cooking times, might have messed it up.
I get that it might seem like a lot, but it’s really not that complicated! The timing worked fine for me. Maybe try it again?
I tried this recipe but found it kind of bland. Needs more seasoning.
I agree! I added some red pepper flakes and Parmesan on top and it was way better!
Really? I thought it was fine, maybe just needs a pinch more salt!
LOVED IT! 😍 Everyone at the dinner wanted the recipe!
Sooo good! My pasta was a bit overcooked but the scallops made up for it!!
So quick and easy! Used shrimp instead of scallops and it was great. Thanks!
Wasn’t impressed. The flavors didn’t pop. I’ll stick to my old spaghetti recipe.
I followed the recipe but the asparagus was still hard. Maybe I cooked it wrong?
Maybe try cooking the asparagus a bit longer? It should be tender-crisp, and if it’s hard, just give it a few extra minutes. Hope it works out better next time!
This was a bit too fancy for my taste, not sure how I feel about the garlic with the scallops. 🤔
I totally get that! Garlic can be a strong flavor, especially with scallops. Maybe try it without next time?
Not gonna lie, my scallops stuck to the pan a little. Tasted good though. Maybe I should’ve patted them drier? The asparagus was nice and crisp.
They stuck because you used olive oil maybe? I always do butter/ ghee and don’t move them until they release. Still good tho, so yeah maybe dry them more next time.
Happened to me too—patted scallops dry helps a lot. Also make sure the pan is really hot before they hit it. Crisp asparagus is the best part 😄
This looks too complicated for me. Why do we have to cook the scallops separately? Can’t we just throw everything in one pot?
The garlic overwhelmed the scallops flavor a bit, I prefer a milder taste.
What? I thought garlic was supposed to make everything better! 🤔
I agree! The garlic can be really strong. Maybe try less next time?
Nice dish but why farfalle? Penne is better!!
Penne is good, but farfalle is just better for this recipe! Why argue over pasta shapes? Just enjoy it!
Farfalle really adds a nice touch! It’s fun and looks great on the plate. I think it works well with scallops 🙂
Meh. Asparagus took longer than 3-4 minutes, and my scallops were slightly overdone (they got a bit rubbery). Won’t say bad, but not a repeat for me.
Three–four minutes for asparagus seems optimistic, yeah. Mine always needs closer to 6–8 unless the pieces are tiny. Maybe parboil the asparagus a minute first or cut smaller—also make sure the pan is really hot or it’ll steam instead of sauté.
Ugh, sorry—rubbery scallops is the worst. 2–3 min/side can be right, but it’s super dependent on thickness and skillet heat. Next time try pulling them when they’re just set and still a touch springy in the center.
Too hard to cook, scallops burned to the pan for me. I’m no chef! 😩
I followed the steps mostly, but my asparagus overcooked a little (I forgot to watch the time). Flavor was still great, and garlic smelled amazing.
Took me ages to cook the pasta! Should have watched it more closely. But other than that it was yum!
Yum? I don’t know about that. Seems like a lot of hassle just for some pasta and scallops. 🤔
Glad you enjoyed it! Cooking pasta can be tricky sometimes. Just keep an eye on it next time! 😄
Not sure about 1 pound scallops + 1 pound pasta… it felt heavy. The dish tasted good, but the proportions were kinda off for me. Would try less pasta next time.
This recipe is a game changer! The scallops were perfectly cooked and the asparagus added a nice crunch.
Too much garlic for my taste. I think it overpowered everything else.
Loved the scallops! Next time I might add some lemon juice for a zing.
Easy recipe! Made it for dinner and everyone loved it. Will make again!
This is awesome! Can’t wait to try it! Sounds super yum.
I dunno… looks a bit fancy for me. Plus, how do you even cook scallops? Mine always turn out rubbery.
Made this tonight and it was restaurant-level. The scallops browned perfectly and the asparagus stayed bright. I used a bit more garlic and it didn’t feel overpowering—great balance with the olive oil.
WOW! Never tasted something like this before. I’m officially a fan of scallops now!
Yum!
Sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try this recipe!
I’m not a fan of scallops, but I tried this for my husband and he loved it! I might give it another shot.
Is garlic really necessary? I hate the taste of garlic, can it be skipped?
Wow, this dish tastes amazing! I even added some parmesan on top.
That sounds delicious! The parmesan must have made it even better. I gotta try that when I make it.
Parmesan? Really? I thought scallops are best with lemon, not cheese. But hey, if it works for you, cool!
Easy to follow and my family loved it! Even my picky eater gave it a thumbs up.
Asparagus was tender-crisp like it said, but my scallops stuck to the pan and broke apart. I think I needed hotter pan or a nonstick surface. Anyway, delicious even with the chaos 😅
1 pound of scallops seems exagerated… I only had like 8 oz and it still came out okay. Also my garlic burned for a sec even though I timed it. Not bad though.
The instructions are clear, but I’d love measurements for sauce or something. I ended up with less sauce than expected—maybe my skillet was too wide. Still tasty.
Totally get you—this one can come out a bit “dry” depending on skillet size and how much moisture the asparagus releases. I’ve had good luck adding a quick splash of pasta water when tossing (start with 1/4 cup, add more as needed) and using a tad more olive oil if you want more sauce.