Seafood casserole represents the ultimate celebration of ocean’s bounty, transforming a medley of marine delicacies into a single, comforting dish that captures the essence of coastal cuisine. This culinary masterpiece brings together an exquisite combination of seafood – typically featuring shrimp, scallops, crab, and sometimes fish – creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that transport diners directly to the shoreline.
The beauty of a seafood casserole lies in its remarkable versatility. Home cooks can easily customize the recipe based on available seafood, making it an adaptable dish that celebrates both local catches and personal preferences. Whether using Bay of Fundy lobster, wild-caught shrimp, or delicate sea scallops, each variation tells a unique culinary story.
What truly elevates this dish is the luxurious sauce that binds the seafood together. Typically crafted from a rich combination of heavy cream, butter, and complementary seasonings like Dijon mustard, white wine, or herbs, the sauce transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience. The crowning glory is often a crisp topping of breadcrumbs or crushed crackers, which adds a delightful textural contrast to the tender seafood beneath.
More than just a recipe, a seafood casserole represents comfort, tradition, and the generous spirit of shared meals. It’s a dish that speaks to both elegant dinner parties and cozy family gatherings, proving that sometimes the most memorable cuisine is born from simplicity and quality ingredients.
Easy Seafood Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
• 1 pound mixed seafood (combination of shrimp, scallops, and crab meat)
• 12 sea scallops
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3½ tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup dry sherry
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
• 8 Ritz crackers, crushed
• Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
Prepare the Seafood:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F
2. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish
3. Distribute scallops and shrimp across the bottom of the dish
Make the Sauce:
1. Heat butter and olive oil in a nonstick skillet
2. Briefly sauté seafood for 1-2 minutes per side
3. Remove seafood and set aside
4. Sauté shallots, garlic, and mushrooms
5. Add flour and cook for one minute
6. Whisk in sherry, Dijon mustard, and heavy cream
7. Season with salt and pepper
Assemble and Bake:
1. Pour sauce over seafood in baking dish
2. Sprinkle with parsley
3. Top with crushed Ritz cracker crumbs
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until seafood is cooked through
Serving Suggestion:
Serve with a lemon wedge and crusty bread
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Pro Tips:
• Use fresh, wild-caught seafood when possible
• Don’t overcook the seafood to maintain tenderness
• Can be refrigerated for 1-2 days in an airtight container