The Best Coquilles St. Jacques (Baked Scallop Shells)
4.82 from 22 votes
A classic of French cuisine, this scallop recipe for Coquilles St. Jacques, oven-baked in the shell, is the absolute best! In this recipe, it is elevated with the addition of bite size pieces of shrimp added to the sweet bay scallops.
Prep Time: 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 10 minutesminutes
Total Time: 30 minutesminutes
Servings: 12shells
Calories: 145
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes
2cupsrusset potatoes, peeled and cubed
2tbspbutter
2tbspmilk
Filling
2shallots or 1 small onion, finely chopped
2tbspbutter
2tbspall purpose flour
1/2cupmilk
1/4cupwhite wine
2cupsbay scallops, drained and patted dry
1cupshrimp, cubed to bite size
1cupmozzarella cheese, grated
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Mashed Potatoes
In a pot of salted water, cook the potatoes until tender. Drain.
With a masher, mash the potatoes with the butter.
Stir in the milk to the potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Set aside in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350°F.
Filling
In a pot, sauté the shallots or onions and garlic in the butter until softened
Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Add the milk and wine and bring to a boil while whisking. Cook for 1 minute.
Remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the scallops, shrimp and ½ cup of the cheese. Stir to combine.
Spoon the filling into scallop shells or ramekin(s).
Pipe the mashed potatoes around the rim of the shells or ramekins. Or use a spoon to dollop the mashed potatoes around the filling.
Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 10 minutes.
Finish under the broiler until the cheese and potatoes are golden brown.
Alternatively these can be baked in an Air Fryer at 325°F for about 5 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR MAKING COQUILLES ST.JACQUES:CAN I ADD OTHER TYPES OF SEAFOOD TO MY COQUILLES ST.JACQUES? Crab meat or pollock may also be added to the seafood mixture.CAN I TOP WITH OTHER TYPES OF CHEESE? Gruyère cheese can be substituted for the mozzarella in this recipe.WHAT CAN I USE IF I DON’T HAVE SCALLOP SHELLS? If you don’t have scallop shells, ramekins may be substituted. Another alternative is to bake the entire recipe in a casserole dish and serve buffet style.CAN I PREPARE COQUILLES ST-JACQUES AHEAD OF TIME? The seafood mixture and bechamel sauce can be prepared and refrigerated a day ahead. On the day of serving, prepare the mashed potatoes and assemble just before baking.CAN I FREEZE COQUILLES ST-JACQUES? • Yes, definitely! Coquilles St-Jacques can also be frozen once assembled but prior to baking. Defrost in the refrigerator the night before baking.