10 Tasty Bay Scallop Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights 2025

Busy weeknights call for fast, flavorful meals. Bay scallops are the perfect solution.

They cook in minutes and deliver sweet, tender bites every time. This list of 10 recipes keeps dinner simple and delicious.

From skillet dishes to fresh salads, you’ll find ideas that fit your schedule and satisfy your taste buds. Let’s get cooking!

1. Garlic Butter Bay Scallops

About: Garlic butter bay scallops bring rich flavor to your table. This dish uses few ingredients and cooks in minutes. It’s a cozy, satisfying meal after a long day.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Pat bay scallops dry with paper towels.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add scallops to the skillet.
4. Cook scallops for 2 minutes on one side.
5. Flip scallops and cook for 2 more minutes.
6. Remove scallops from skillet and set aside.
7. Lower heat to medium.
8. Add butter to the skillet.
9. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
10. Return scallops to the skillet.
11. Toss scallops in garlic butter for 1 minute.
12. Season with salt and black pepper.
13. Sprinkle parsley on top.
14. Serve hot with your favorite side.

2. Lemon Herb Bay Scallop Pasta

About: Lemon herb bay scallop pasta mixes bright citrus with tender scallops. This dish feels fresh and light. It’s perfect for a quick, tasty dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 8 oz spaghetti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Instructions:

1. Boil water in a pot.
2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
3. Drain spaghetti and set aside.
4. Pat bay scallops dry with paper towels.
5. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Add scallops to the skillet.
7. Cook scallops for 2 minutes on one side.
8. Flip scallops and cook for 2 more minutes.
9. Remove scallops from skillet and set aside.
10. Lower heat to medium.
11. Add garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
12. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and oregano.
13. Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet.
14. Toss spaghetti in the sauce for 1 minute.
15. Return scallops to the skillet.
16. Mix scallops with pasta.
17. Season with salt and black pepper.
18. Sprinkle basil on top.
19. Serve warm.

3. Bay Scallop Stir-Fry with Veggies

About: Bay scallop stir-fry with veggies is fast and colorful. This dish packs protein and crunch into every bite. It’s a fun way to enjoy scallops on a busy night.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot, sliced thin
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Pat bay scallops dry with paper towels.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat.
3. Add scallops to the skillet.
4. Cook scallops for 2 minutes on one side.
5. Flip scallops and cook for 2 more minutes.
6. Remove scallops from skillet and set aside.
7. Add bell pepper, broccoli, and carrot to the skillet.
8. Stir-fry veggies for 3 minutes.
9. Stir in ginger and garlic.
10. Cook for 1 minute.
11. Add soy sauce to the skillet.
12. Return scallops to the skillet.
13. Toss scallops and veggies together for 1 minute.
14. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.
15. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

4. Bay Scallop Tacos with Lime Slaw

About: Bay scallop tacos with lime slaw are zesty and fresh. These tacos are quick to make and fun to eat. They bring a little sunshine to your weeknight.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp chili powder
• Salt, to taste
• 6 small tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 1 lime (juice)
• 1 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions:

1. Pat bay scallops dry with paper towels.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add scallops to the skillet.
4. Sprinkle chili powder and salt over scallops.
5. Cook scallops for 2 minutes on one side.
6. Flip scallops and cook for 2 more minutes.
7. Remove scallops from skillet and set aside.
8. Mix cabbage, lime juice, mayonnaise, and honey in a bowl.
9. Stir slaw until combined.
10. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side.
11. Place scallops in tortillas.
12. Top scallops with lime slaw.
13. Serve tacos fresh.

5. Bay Scallop and Spinach Risotto

About: Bay scallop and spinach risotto is creamy and comforting. This dish feels fancy but cooks fast. It’s a warm hug on a hectic evening.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 1 cup arborio rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat broth in a pot over low heat.
2. Pat bay scallops dry with paper towels.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
4. Add onion to the skillet.
5. Cook onion for 3 minutes.
6. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
7. Add arborio rice to the skillet.
8. Stir rice for 1 minute.
9. Pour 1 cup of warm broth into the skillet.
10. Stir rice until broth absorbs.
11. Add another cup of broth.
12. Repeat until rice is creamy and tender (about 15 minutes).
13. Stir in spinach and cook for 1 minute.
14. Add scallops to the skillet.
15. Cook scallops for 4 minutes.
16. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
17. Season with salt and black pepper.
18. Serve hot.

6. Bay Scallop Ceviche

About: Bay scallop ceviche is cool and tangy. This no-cook dish is refreshing and light. It’s a quick fix for warm nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 2 limes (juice)
• 1 orange (juice)
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno, minced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions:

1. Rinse bay scallops in cold water.
2. Pat scallops dry with paper towels.
3. Place scallops in a bowl.
4. Pour lime juice and orange juice over scallops.
5. Add red onion and jalapeno to the bowl.
6. Stir mixture well.
7. Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
8. Chill mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes.
9. Remove bowl from fridge.
10. Stir in cilantro and salt.
11. Serve ceviche with tortilla chips.

7. Bay Scallop and Tomato Skillet

About: Bay scallop and tomato skillet is juicy and flavorful. This dish pairs sweet scallops with bright tomatoes. It’s a simple, hearty meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Pat bay scallops dry with paper towels.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add scallops to the skillet.
4. Cook scallops for 2 minutes on one side.
5. Flip scallops and cook for 2 more minutes.
6. Remove scallops from skillet and set aside.
7. Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet.
8. Cook tomatoes for 3 minutes.
9. Stir in garlic and basil.
10. Cook for 1 minute.
11. Return scallops to the skillet.
12. Toss scallops with tomatoes for 1 minute.
13. Season with salt and black pepper.
14. Serve hot with bread or rice.

8. Bay Scallop Fried Rice

About: Bay scallop fried rice is savory and filling. This dish turns leftovers into a quick feast. It’s a fun twist for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup carrots, diced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 green onions, chopped

Instructions:

1. Pat bay scallops dry with paper towels.
2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add scallops to the skillet.
4. Cook scallops for 2 minutes on one side.
5. Flip scallops and cook for 2 more minutes.
6. Remove scallops from skillet and set aside.
7. Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet.
8. Pour beaten egg into the skillet.
9. Scramble egg for 1 minute.
10. Add peas and carrots to the skillet.
11. Cook veggies for 2 minutes.
12. Stir in cooked rice and soy sauce.
13. Toss rice mixture for 2 minutes.
14. Return scallops to the skillet.
15. Mix scallops with rice for 1 minute.
16. Sprinkle green onions on top.
17. Serve hot.

9. Bay Scallop and Corn Chowder

About: Bay scallop and corn chowder is warm and creamy. This soup is quick to make and full of flavor. It’s perfect for chilly nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups corn kernels
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

Instructions:

1. Pat bay scallops dry with paper towels.
2. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
3. Add onion to the pot.
4. Cook onion for 3 minutes.
5. Stir in corn and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Pour chicken broth into the pot.
7. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes.
8. Add heavy cream to the pot.
9. Stir cream into the soup.
10. Add scallops to the pot.
11. Cook scallops for 4 minutes.
12. Season with salt and black pepper.
13. Sprinkle chives on top.
14. Serve soup warm.

10. Bay Scallop Caesar Salad

About: Bay scallop Caesar salad is crisp and bold. This dish adds sweet scallops to a classic salad. It’s a light, tasty option for busy evenings.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bay scallops
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 romaine lettuce head, chopped
• 1/4 cup Caesar dressing
• 1/4 cup croutons
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Pat bay scallops dry with paper towels.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add scallops to the skillet.
4. Cook scallops for 2 minutes on one side.
5. Flip scallops and cook for 2 more minutes.
6. Remove scallops from skillet and set aside.
7. Place romaine lettuce in a large bowl.
8. Pour Caesar dressing over lettuce.
9. Toss lettuce with dressing.
10. Add croutons and Parmesan cheese to the bowl.
11. Top salad with cooked scallops.
12. Season with salt and black pepper.
13. Serve fresh.

Weeknights don’t have to mean boring meals. These 10 bay scallop recipes prove you can eat well without spending hours in the kitchen. Try one tonight and savor the ease and flavor. Your busy schedule just got a lot tastier!