Description
A rich and creamy New England Seafood Casserole featuring a blend of sea scallops, shrimp, and haddock baked in a buttery Parmesan and cracker crust, perfect for an elegant yet easy seafood dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- ½ lb sea scallops
- ½ lb shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- ½ lb haddock or cod (cut into chunks)
Sauce and Seasoning
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 shallot (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and minced garlic, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened to build the flavor base.
- Make the Roux and Sauce: Stir in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the whole milk, heavy cream, and optional white wine, ensuring a smooth sauce. Add Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper, then simmer for 4–5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add Cheese and Seafood: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Gently fold in the sea scallops, shrimp, and white fish chunks, coating them well with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the seafood mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Prepare and Add Topping: In a small bowl, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Combine the melted butter with the crushed buttery crackers and the remaining Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the seafood casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Serve this casserole with crusty bread, steamed rice, or creamy mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- You can swap the seafood mix for lobster or crab, or use different white fish depending on availability and preference.
- For a lighter version of the sauce, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half to reduce fat content.
- Make sure not to overcook the seafood to keep it tender and moist within the casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American (New England)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of casserole
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
