Cozy Crab and Shrimp Casserole Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Seafood lovers rejoice!

This classic crab and shrimp casserole recipe brings coastal comfort right to your dinner table.

Packed with succulent seafood and creamy textures, the dish promises a delightful culinary experience.

Fresh gulf shrimp and tender crab meat blend seamlessly with rich, velvety ingredients.

Each bite delivers a harmonious mix of oceanic flavors and comforting warmth.

Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, this casserole turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary feast.

Dive into this delectable seafood sensation that’s sure to impress even the most discerning palates.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 7

What’s Inside Crab and Shrimp Casserole

• Shrimp: Sweet ocean protein that adds delicate flavor and tender texture to the casserole.
• Crabmeat: Rich, delicate seafood that brings luxurious maritime essence to the dish.

• Celery: Crisp vegetable that provides subtle crunch and fresh herbal undertones.
• Onion: Foundational ingredient that delivers deep, sweet background notes.
• Garlic: Powerful aromatic that intensifies overall savory profile of the casserole.

• Butter: Rich dairy base that creates smooth foundation for sauce.
• Flour: Crucial thickening agent that helps develop silky sauce consistency.
• Milk: Creamy liquid that ensures sauce remains velvety and luscious.
• Mayonnaise: Tangy condiment that enhances sauce's richness and adds subtle complexity.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, melty ingredient that contributes robust flavor and creamy texture.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that balances and elevates dish's overall taste.
• Black Pepper: Warm spice that adds gentle heat and aromatic depth.

• Breadcrumbs: Crispy coating that provides delightful golden-brown crunch.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds fresh color and light herbal finish.

Kitchen Gear Needed for Crab and Shrimp Casserole

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining seafood and vegetables thoroughly.
• Medium saucepan: Perfect for creating the creamy cheese sauce.
• Whisk: Great for smoothly blending sauce ingredients without lumps.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal size for spreading and baking the casserole evenly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Sharp knife: Needed for mincing garlic and chopping herbs.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helpful for stirring and mixing ingredients.

Easy Cooking Instructions for Crab and Shrimp Casserole

Ocean Harvest Casserole

• Oven Preparation Warm the kitchen sanctuary to a cozy 350°F, creating the perfect environment for culinary magic.
• Seafood Symphony Gently combine tender crabmeat and succulent shrimp with crisp diced vegetables, allowing their natural flavors to mingle and dance.
• Creamy Foundation Craft a velvety sauce by melting butter and whisking in flour until it transforms into a golden embrace. Slowly introduce milk, stirring with love until the mixture becomes luxuriously thick and smooth. Fold in creamy mayonnaise and sharp cheddar, seasoning with a whisper of salt and pepper.
• Casserole Assembly Lovingly fold the seafood into the dreamy sauce, ensuring every morsel is kissed by the creamy goodness. Transfer this treasure to a welcoming baking dish, spreading it with care.
• Crispy Topping Shower the casserole with a delicate blanket of golden breadcrumbs, promising a satisfying crunch with every bite.
• Baking Finale Slide the dish into the waiting oven, allowing it to bake for 30 minutes until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges bubble with excitement.
• Serving Moment Let the casserole rest briefly, then garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Serve this ocean-inspired delight warm, ready to transport taste buds to coastal paradise.

How to Add Variety to Crab and Shrimp Casserole

• Seafood Swap Magic: Replace shrimp with scallops or use a mix of different seafood for a unique flavor adventure.
• Spice Level Boost: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to give the casserole a gentle kick of heat that brightens the seafood's delicate taste.
• Crunch Factor Upgrade: Mix crushed buttery crackers or panko breadcrumbs with herbs like thyme or oregano for an extra crispy, flavorful topping that adds texture.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking to ensure even cooking and prevent temperature shock.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyère, monterey jack, or smoked gouda to create a richer, more complex flavor profile that complements the seafood beautifully.

Serving Crab and Shrimp Casserole Like a Chef

• Seafood Feast Companion: Pair this rich casserole with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to balance the creamy texture and complement the delicate seafood flavors.
• Texture-Perfect Plate: Serve alongside fluffy rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal that highlights the casserole's creamy goodness.
• Fresh and Light Sidekick: Add a zesty mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness, providing a refreshing contrast that makes each bite of the casserole even more enjoyable.
• Coastal Comfort Combo: Roast some asparagus or green beans with a sprinkle of garlic and lemon to create a vegetable side that echoes the seafood's fresh, oceanic essence and adds vibrant color to the plate.

Keep Crab and Shrimp Casserole Fresh for Later

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover casserole in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh and safe for future enjoyment.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Wrap individual portions or entire casserole tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap and aluminum foil, maintaining quality for up to 3 months in the freezer.
• Convenient Reheating Method: Thaw refrigerated casserole overnight, then warm in oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and ensure even heating.
• Freshness Maintenance Tip: Consume refrigerated seafood casserole within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture, checking for any unusual odors or changes before reheating.

Cheesy Crab and Shrimp Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy crab and shrimp casserole brings coastal comfort to dinner tables, melding seafood traditions with hearty ingredients. Seafood enthusiasts will savor this rich, satisfying dish that delivers complex flavors in one delightful pan.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1 lb (454 g) crabmeat (fresh or canned)
• 1 cup (150 g) celery (diced)
• ½ cup (75 g) onion (diced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tbsps (30 g) butter (for the sauce)
• 2 tbsps (15 g) all-purpose flour (for the roux)
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• 1 cup (100 g) sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
• ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs (for topping)
• 1 pinch salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 tbsp (4 g) fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to a precise 350°F (175°C), creating an optimal thermal landscape for culinary transformation.
2. Seafood Symphony: In a generous mixing bowl, orchestrate a harmonious blend of succulent shrimp, delicate crabmeat, crisp celery, aromatic onion, and pungent garlic, intertwining their unique characteristics into a cohesive maritime ensemble.
3. Sauce Crafting: Melt butter in a saucepan, introducing flour and cooking until achieving a golden, frothy roux. Gradually stream milk, whisking with precision to forge a silky, luminous sauce free from lumpy imperfections.
4. Flavor Fusion: Withdraw sauce from heat, incorporating mayonnaise, sharp cheddar, and nuanced seasonings, transforming the liquid into a rich, complex binding agent that elevates the seafood’s inherent qualities.
5. Assemblage: Gently fold seafood into the creamy sauce, ensuring each morsel becomes thoroughly enrobed in the luxurious mixture, creating a unified culinary composition.
6. Baking Preparation: Seamlessly transfer the maritime medley into a thoroughly greased baking vessel, distributing evenly to establish a consistent layer that promises uniform cooking.
7. Textural Enhancement: Dust the surface with a delicate breadcrumb veil, promising a crisp, golden crown that will provide tantalizing textural contrast.
8. Thermal Transformation: Position the casserole in the preheated oven, allowing approximately 30 minutes for the ingredients to meld and the surface to metamorphose into a bubbling, amber-hued landscape.
9. Resting Phase: Extract the casserole, permitting a brief interlude that allows flavors to harmonize and intensify, creating a more profound gustatory experience.
10. Presentation: Adorn with freshly chopped parsley, introducing a vibrant verdant accent, and serve immediately alongside complementary accompaniments.

Notes

• Seafood Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality crab and shrimp for the best flavor and texture, avoiding frozen or previously frozen seafood if possible.
• Sauce Smoothness: Whisk the sauce continuously and slowly add milk to prevent lumpy textures, creating a silky-smooth base for the casserole.
• Breadcrumb Tip: Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy, light golden topping that adds delightful crunch to the dish.
• Resting Importance: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow flavors to meld and make serving easier without falling apart.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg