Simple Crustacean Casserole Recipe for Seafood Lovers

Seafood lovers rejoice as this mouthwatering crustacean delight casserole recipe promises a symphony of ocean-fresh flavors.

Succulent shellfish nestled in a creamy, herb-infused sauce creates a culinary masterpiece that sings with coastal charm.

Layers of rich, tender ingredients blend harmoniously, turning an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.

Crafted with care and precision, this dish brings the essence of seaside dining directly to your table.

Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of texture and taste that will transport you to a breezy shoreline.

The combination of delicate seafood and aromatic seasonings makes this casserole an instant crowd-pleaser.

Dive into this unforgettable recipe and let your taste buds embark on a delectable maritime adventure.

Tools for Crustacean Casserole Comfort

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining and mixing seafood and other ingredients thoroughly.
• Medium saucepan: Perfect for creating the creamy cheese sauce with butter and milk.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly blending sauce ingredients and preventing lumps.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal size for preparing and baking the entire casserole.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helps accurately measure ingredients for consistent results.
• Cutting board: Necessary for chopping celery, onions, and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise ingredient preparation.

Cooking the Crustacean Casserole Right

• Seafood Symphony Preparation

Create a delightful blend of succulent shrimp and tender crabmeat with crisp vegetables in a large mixing bowl.

• Creamy Base Creation

Craft a velvety sauce by gently melting butter, whisking in flour, and slowly incorporating milk until a luxurious texture emerges. Fold in creamy elements for extra richness.

• Harmonious Mixing

Combine the seafood medley with the silky sauce, ensuring every morsel is perfectly coated with flavor.

• Baking Magic

Transfer the ocean-inspired mixture to a welcoming baking dish. Sprinkle a crispy breadcrumb topping that will transform into a golden crown during baking.

• Oven Transformation

Slide the casserole into a warm oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and dance together. In about 30 minutes, you’ll have a bubbling masterpiece with a gorgeous golden surface that promises pure culinary joy.

Tips to Blend Seafood Flavors in One Bake

• Seafood Sensation Secrets: Cooking Tips & Variations
• Freshness First: Always choose the freshest seafood available. Opt for high-quality, wild-caught shrimp and crabmeat to elevate the flavor profile of your casserole.
• Cheese Creativity: Experiment with different cheese varieties like gruyère, monterey jack, or a sharp white cheddar to add unique depth and richness to the sauce.
• Crunch Factor: Try mixing panko breadcrumbs with crushed butter crackers or add toasted sliced almonds for an extra crispy and textured topping that provides a delightful contrast.
• Spice It Up: Incorporate a dash of old bay seasoning, cayenne pepper, or fresh chopped herbs like dill or parsley to give the casserole a personal flavor twist that'll make taste buds dance.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Simply pop it in the oven when you're ready to serve, making meal prep a breeze for busy cooks.

How to Serve This Dish Family-Style

• Seaside Dinner Companions: Pair this rich casserole with a crisp, chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to balance the creamy seafood flavors.
• Bright Side Salad: Serve alongside a light, zesty mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the casserole's richness and add fresh contrast.
• Perfect Plate Partners: Complement the dish with roasted asparagus or steamed green beans to introduce a nutritious vegetable element that enhances the seafood's delicate taste.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Add warm, crusty French bread or garlic toast to help guests soak up the delicious cheesy sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal experience.

Store This Casserole Without Drying Out Seafood

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep leftovers in airtight containers inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days, maintaining optimal freshness and flavor integrity.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing them flat in the freezer for maximum 2 months without compromising taste quality.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated portions in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent moisture loss and ensure even temperature distribution.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours before baking, storing covered in the refrigerator and adding breadcrumbs just before placing in the oven for guaranteed crispy topping.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 465 kcal

Servings: 7

Crustacean Casserole Ingredient Breakdown

• Shrimp: Wild-caught varieties offer superior sweetness and texture, perfect for bringing ocean-fresh flavor to the dish.
• Crabmeat: Select fresh or high-quality canned options for delicate, tender seafood experience.

• Celery: Adds crisp texture and subtle herbal undertone to enhance seafood complexity.
• Onion: Provides rich, sweet base note that complements seafood's delicate flavor.
• Garlic: Infuses deep, robust essence that elevates the entire casserole's taste profile.

• Butter: Creates luxurious foundation for silky sauce with rich, golden undertones.
• Flour: Acts as crucial thickening agent to develop smooth, consistent sauce texture.
• Milk: Delivers creamy consistency and softens overall dish's flavor profile.
• Mayonnaise: Introduces tangy richness and helps bind sauce components seamlessly.
• Cheddar Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding sharp, vibrant flavor and creamy consistency.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all ingredient flavors strategically.
• Pepper: Provides subtle warmth and gentle spiciness to complement seafood.

• Breadcrumbs: Creates golden, crunchy exterior that adds delightful textural contrast.

Savory Crustacean Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Creamy Maine lobster casserole combines succulent seafood with rich, comforting ingredients. Coastal New England flavors shine through this classic dish that satisfies seafood cravings and promises memorable dining.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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
• 1 cup (100 g) sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
• ½ cup (60 g) breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsps (16 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 1 tbsp (4 g) fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C), establishing the perfect thermal landscape for this marine-inspired culinary creation.
2. Seafood Fusion: Amalgamate shrimp, crabmeat, celery, onion, and garlic in a generous mixing bowl, orchestrating a symphonic blend of oceanic ingredients.
3. Sauce Crafting: In a saucepan, transform butter and flour into a golden roux, gradually introducing milk while whisking continuously to forge a silky, luxurious sauce base.
4. Flavor Layering: Withdraw sauce from heat, integrating mayonnaise, cheddar, salt, and pepper to construct a robust, velvety coating that will elevate the seafood’s inherent character.
5. Composition: Tenderly envelop the seafood within the creamy sauce, ensuring each marine morsel is lavishly dressed in the decadent mixture.
6. Assembly: Nestled in a greased baking vessel, distribute the maritime medley evenly, creating a uniform canvas of oceanic potential.
7. Textural Enhancement: Cascade breadcrumbs across the surface, promising a crisp counterpoint to the tender seafood foundation.
8. Culinary Transformation: Immerse the casserole in the preheated oven, allowing approximately 30 minutes for it to metamorphose into a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece.
9. Serving Finesse: Extract from the oven and permit a momentary respite, enabling flavors to harmonize before presenting this coastal-inspired delicacy.

Notes

• Seafood Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp and crabmeat for the most vibrant and authentic flavor profile.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk the roux and milk slowly and consistently to avoid lumps and ensure a silky-smooth sauce.
• Crumb Topping Crunch: Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness and golden-brown texture on top of the casserole.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for maximum convenience.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 465
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg