This Seafood Bake for Two brings together tender halibut, juicy shrimp, and delicate scallops in a buttery garlic and lemon sauce. Everything cooks together in one baking dish, making this an easy seafood dinner that feels special without requiring hours in the kitchen.
To keep the recipe halal-friendly, the original white wine is replaced with seafood or vegetable broth and a touch of white grape juice, preserving moisture and depth without alcohol.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This easy baked seafood recipe is wonderfully simple but elegant enough for a special dinner for two. Halibut provides a tender, flaky base, while shrimp and scallops add different textures and naturally sweet seafood flavor.
The garlic lemon butter sauce keeps everything flavorful without covering up the seafood. Better yet, the entire dish takes only about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Because it is naturally portioned for two, this mixed seafood bake works especially well for date-night dinners, anniversaries, or any evening when you want something a little more special with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 2 (4-ounce) halibut fillets
- 6 sea scallops
- 6 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails attached
- 1/4 cup seafood or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon white grape juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Lightly grease a medium glass or ceramic oven-safe baking dish.
- Pat the halibut, scallops, and shrimp dry with paper towels. Arrange the halibut fillets in the baking dish, leaving enough space around them for the shrimp and scallops.
- Arrange the scallops and jumbo shrimp around the fish in a single layer.
- In a small bowl, combine the seafood or vegetable broth, white grape juice, melted butter, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the seafood.
- Sprinkle everything with seafood seasoning, then season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Bake the Seafood Bake for Two for approximately 10–12 minutes, checking the seafood toward the end of the cooking time.
- The halibut should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. The shrimp should be opaque and firm, while the scallops should be opaque and tender. For food safety, finfish should reach 145°F (63°C) in the center.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
- Spoon some of the warm garlic lemon butter sauce from the bottom of the baking dish over each serving and serve immediately.
Tips & Tricks
Pat the seafood dry before arranging it in the baking dish. Removing excess surface moisture helps prevent the sauce from becoming unnecessarily watery.
Choose similarly sized scallops and shrimp so they cook at roughly the same rate.
Because seafood cooks quickly, start checking it before the full 12 minutes have passed. Overcooking can make shrimp rubbery, scallops tough, and halibut dry.
Fresh lemon juice gives the garlic lemon seafood bake a brighter flavor than bottled juice.
If you cannot find halibut, another firm white fish such as cod, haddock, or sea bass can work well. Cooking time may need to be adjusted according to fillet thickness.
For a richer sauce, add another tablespoon of melted butter. For a lighter version, increase the broth slightly instead.
Details
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: About 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly, pescatarian, high-protein, naturally gluten-free when the seafood seasoning and broth are certified gluten-free
Notes
White grape juice combined with broth replaces the dry white wine while keeping the sauce flavorful and completely alcohol-free.
For a less sweet alternative, skip the grape juice and use additional seafood or vegetable broth with an extra teaspoon of lemon juice.
Serve this baked halibut shrimp and scallops dish with steamed rice, roasted potatoes, couscous, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the buttery sauce.
For vegetables, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, or a crisp green salad all make excellent sides.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving:
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 47 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fat: 18 g
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary depending on the exact size of the seafood and ingredients used.
FAQ
What seafood is best for a Seafood Bake for Two?
A combination of firm white fish, jumbo shrimp, and sea scallops works particularly well because it provides contrasting flavors and textures. Halibut is an excellent choice, but cod or haddock can also be used.
Can I make this seafood bake without wine?
Yes. Seafood or vegetable broth works well as an alcohol-free substitute. Combining broth with a small amount of white grape juice and lemon creates additional depth and acidity.
How do I know when baked seafood is done?
The halibut should turn opaque and flake easily, while the shrimp should become opaque and firm and the scallops should lose their translucent appearance. Finfish should reach 145°F (63°C).
Can I use frozen seafood?
Yes, but thaw the seafood completely in the refrigerator first. Drain away excess liquid and pat everything thoroughly dry before baking.
Can I use cod instead of halibut?
Yes. Cod is an excellent alternative for this easy baked seafood recipe. Use similarly sized fillets and monitor them closely because cooking time depends on their thickness.
What should I serve with a mixed seafood bake?
Rice, roasted potatoes, pasta, couscous, steamed vegetables, and fresh salad all pair nicely with the lemon garlic butter sauce.
Storage
Seafood is best served immediately after cooking, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently to prevent the fish, shrimp, and scallops from becoming tough. Cover the seafood and warm it in a low oven until heated through, or reheat carefully in a skillet with a spoonful of broth.
Freezing the fully cooked dish is possible, but it is not recommended for the best texture. Shrimp and scallops can become tougher after freezing and reheating.
Similar Recipes
Seafood Bake for Two
Ingredients
- 2 4-ounce halibut fillets
- 6 sea scallops
- 6 jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined, tails attached
- 1/4 cup seafood or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon white grape juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Lightly grease a medium glass or ceramic oven-safe baking dish.
- Pat the halibut, scallops, and shrimp dry with paper towels. Arrange the halibut fillets in the baking dish, leaving enough space around them for the shrimp and scallops.
- Arrange the scallops and jumbo shrimp around the fish in a single layer.
- In a small bowl, combine the seafood or vegetable broth, white grape juice, melted butter, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the seafood.
- Sprinkle everything with seafood seasoning, then season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Bake the Seafood Bake for Two for approximately 10–12 minutes, checking the seafood toward the end of the cooking time.
- The halibut should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. The shrimp should be opaque and firm, while the scallops should be opaque and tender. For food safety, finfish should reach 145°F (63°C) in the center.
- Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
- Spoon some of the warm garlic lemon butter sauce from the bottom of the baking dish over each serving and serve immediately.
Notes
Conclusion
This Seafood Bake for Two delivers an impressive combination of flaky halibut, tender scallops, and juicy shrimp without complicated preparation. Garlic, lemon, butter, and fresh parsley complement the seafood while allowing its delicate flavor to remain the star.
With one baking dish and about 20 minutes, this easy seafood dinner for two is an excellent choice when you want a simple meal that still feels special.