Description
This Easy Seafood Casserole is a comforting and savory dish combining mixed seafood with creamy sauce, cheese, and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick family dinner that feels indulgent yet simple to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood and Rice
- 1 lb mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, crab meat, or any seafood of choice)
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup (or homemade version)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup white wine (optional for extra flavor)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese and Topping
- 1 cup total cheese (1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)
Optional Substitutions
- Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and dairy-free cheese for a dairy-free casserole.
- Rice-Free: Substitute rice with quinoa, cauliflower rice, or gluten-free pasta.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is ready for baking the casserole.
- Cook the seafood: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the mixed seafood for 3–4 minutes until just cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and minced garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until softened. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, white wine, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and dried thyme. Allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine seafood and rice: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked rice, sautéed seafood, and the prepared sauce until all ingredients are well coated.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the seafood and rice mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Add cheese and breadcrumbs: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan evenly over the casserole. Top with breadcrumbs and drizzle the melted butter over the breadcrumbs to help form a golden crust.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the top is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon if desired. Enjoy your comforting seafood casserole!
Notes
- You can use any combination of seafood you prefer, such as shrimp, scallops, crab, or even fish chunks.
- If avoiding dairy, replace heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free cheese alternatives.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute breadcrumbs with gluten-free crumbs and rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice.
- White wine is optional but adds a nice depth of flavor; you can omit it if preferred.
- Be careful not to overcook the seafood in the skillet as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Let the casserole rest before serving to allow it to set and make serving easier.
