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!
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! 😍
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!
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? 🌶️
This recipe is absolutely delicious! The combination of scallops and asparagus is a game changer. Definitely a keeper! 🌟
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.
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?
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?
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 🙂
Too hard to cook, scallops burned to the pan for me. I’m no chef! 😩