Description
Seafood casserole brings together tender ocean treasures under a crispy cracker crust that makes dinner feel like a coastal celebration. Packed with fresh catches and creamy sauce, this comforting dish delivers pure seaside satisfaction straight to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, and crab meat)
- 1 cup white rice, cooked
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Vegetable Base:
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Binding:
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup saltine crackers, crushed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Warm your large skillet with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Sauté 1 cup diced onion and 1 cup diced bell pepper for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Stir continuously for 1 minute to prevent burning.
- Introduce 1 pound mixed seafood (thawed and drained) to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes until seafood turns opaque.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper over the seafood. Mix thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
- Transfer your skillet contents to a large mixing bowl containing 1 cup cooked white rice and 1 cup heavy cream. Gently combine ingredients.
- Fold in ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, reserving ¼ cup for topping. Ensure even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Prepare your 9×13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing with butter or cooking spray.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Pour seafood mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Mix 1 cup crushed saltine crackers with 2 tablespoons melted butter until crackers are completely coated.
- Sprinkle buttered cracker mixture across the casserole surface for a crispy topping.
- Scatter remaining ¼ cup cheddar cheese over the cracker layer for extra cheesiness.
- Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until the top turns golden brown and edges become bubbly.
- Monitor closely during final baking minutes. Cover with aluminum foil if browning too quickly.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. This helps the dish set and makes portioning easier.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh seafood for the best flavor and texture, preferably a mix of shrimp, crab, and white fish.
- If dairy is a concern, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter, lactose-free version.
- Crush crackers coarsely to maintain some crunch and prevent the topping from becoming too dense.
- For a gluten-free option, replace saltine crackers with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice crackers.
- Prep Time: 20-25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg