This Lobster Bisque Pasta is one of those recipes that took over social media for a reason — it’s cozy, buttery, and just fancy enough to feel like a treat without a lot of work. The first time I saw it pop up on my feed, I immediately knew it was one of those dishes I had to try… and once I did, it quickly earned a place in our weeknight dinner rotation.
What I love most about this pasta is that it’s a total shortcut to luxury. You’re using pantry-friendly ingredients and a ready-made bisque, but with a couple of smart additions — like brown butter lemon breadcrumbs — it transforms into something special. It’s perfect for a date night dinner at home or one of those nights when you want to treat yourself without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Viral Pasta
This dish is creamy, rich, and brimming with seafood flavor, but still approachable enough to make on a random Tuesday. Here’s why it keeps making a comeback in my kitchen:
- Minimal effort, maximum payoff. You don’t need to break down a lobster — just grab the Trader Joe’s bisque and shrimp, and dinner’s halfway done.
- That crispy breadcrumb topping. The Old Bay lemon brown butter breadcrumbs might be my favorite part. It adds texture, brightness, and that little something extra that makes the dish feel restaurant-worthy.
- Fast but impressive. Start to finish, it takes about 30 minutes, but no one will guess. It looks and tastes like you spent way longer.
- Totally flexible. You can use shrimp, langostino tails, or even leftover lobster if you’ve got some from a special dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a closer look at the key players in this pasta — and some notes from my own experience:
- Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque: Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, this is the secret sauce of the whole dish. It saves you from having to make a seafood sauce from scratch, but still gives you that slow-cooked depth.
- Argentinian Red Shrimp: I love these because they’re plump and sweet, and their texture is pretty close to lobster. Just a quick sear and they’re good to go. Langostino tails work too — use whatever’s available.
- Pasta: I used campanelle, but any short pasta like shells or rigatoni will work. Long noodles like linguine are great too, especially if you love that creamy twirl.
- Shallots and Garlic: The classic flavor base — don’t skip this! The shallots bring sweetness, while garlic adds that essential savoriness.
- Old Bay Seasoning: Brings all the briny, herby flavor you want with seafood. I always keep a tin on hand for shrimp boils and fried fish — here, it pulls everything together.
- Lemon Zest and Juice: This brightens up the richness of the bisque. I always add a little extra zest to the breadcrumbs and juice to the sauce.
How to Make Lobster Bisque Pasta
Here’s the basic flow, along with some tips I’ve picked up along the way:
Make the Breadcrumb Topping:
Start by browning some butter — take your time with this step because that nutty aroma is key. Toss in panko or fresh breadcrumbs, a pinch of Old Bay, and lemon zest. Stir until golden and crispy, then set aside.
Cook the Aromatics:
In the same pan, soften the shallots and garlic. Add halved cherry tomatoes for a pop of sweetness and color. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Add Shrimp and Bisque:
Stir in chopped shrimp (or langostino), then pour in the lobster bisque. Let everything simmer together until the shrimp is cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly.
Finish with Pasta and Lemon:
Toss in the cooked pasta, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some chopped fresh parsley. If it’s too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
Top and Serve:
Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with the crispy breadcrumb topping. Serve hot — trust me, this one is best right away when everything is creamy and the topping is still crunchy.
Helpful Tips & Substitutions
- Breadcrumbs: If you’re out of Old Bay, a pinch of paprika, celery salt, and cayenne makes a quick DIY blend.
- Pasta Water: Always save a cup — it can smooth out and extend the sauce if it thickens too much.
- Extra Veggies: Stir in a couple handfuls of baby spinach or chopped asparagus at the end for added greens.
- Shallot Swap: A small yellow onion works fine if that’s what you have on hand.
- Shrimp Tip: If using frozen shrimp, make sure they’re completely thawed and dried before adding to the pan — it helps with browning and prevents a watery sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta is rich enough to be a meal on its own, but here are a few things I’ve served with it:
- Arugula Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette – The peppery greens cut the richness.
- Garlic Bread or Crusty Baguette – For soaking up every bit of sauce.
- A crisp white wine – Something citrusy like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio is perfect.
Storage and Reheating Tips
This pasta is best eaten fresh, but leftovers hold up okay with a little care:
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce. The microwave works too, but stir often to keep the sauce from separating.
- Freezing: I don’t recommend it — cream-based sauces tend to break and turn grainy after freezing.
Final Thought
This Viral Lobster Bisque Pasta is more than just a social media trend — it’s a genuinely comforting, flavor-packed dinner that feels a little indulgent but is simple enough for any weeknight. It’s one of those rare recipes that delivers restaurant vibes with pantry ingredients, and the Old Bay breadcrumb topping takes it over the top. If you’ve got a bag of shrimp and a container of bisque, you’re halfway to one of the most satisfying bowls of pasta you’ll make all season.
Trader Joe's Lobster Bisque Pasta
This is my twist on the internet-famous Trader Joe’s Lobster Bisque Pasta—only we’re leveling it up with buttery Old Bay and lemon zest breadcrumbs.
Ingredients
- Brown Butter Breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp Butter, see Note 1
- 1/3 cup Panko
- 1/4 tsp Old Bay Seasoning, adjust to taste
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest, adjust to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it begins to foam and turn golden brown with toasty bits on the bottom—about 5 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- Add panko and stir to coat. Toast for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently until crispy and golden.
- Transfer to a small bowl and mix in Old Bay seasoning and lemon zest. If you used unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water, then drain and set aside.
- Wipe out your breadcrumb pan and return it to the stove over medium heat. Add olive oil, then sauté the chopped shallot and garlic for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
- Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes, season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Let them cook down for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and start to burst.
- Add the chopped shrimp and cook for about 1 minute until just starting to turn pink. Lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the lobster bisque. Stir to combine and let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken slightly.
- Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and stir in the cooked pasta. If needed, splash in some reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Fold in chopped parsley to finish.
- Serve in bowls and top each portion with a spoonful of the brown butter breadcrumbs. Garnish with grated Parmesan, more lemon zest, or parsley if desired.
Notes
- I used salted butter for the brown butter breadcrumbs. If you’re using unsalted butter, you may want to add a pinch of salt to the breadcrumbs to taste after toasting.
- A variety of pasta shapes work well here. You can use a short shape like rigatoni, shells, or gigli/campanelle (what I used). Long shapes like fettuccine or linguine are also great for twirling. Use whatever you prefer.
Nutrition Information
Yield
3Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 221Total Fat 17gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 41mgSodium 329mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 3g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
