The Best Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake Recipe Ever Made

Creamy lobster and shrimp pasta bake promises a luxurious dining adventure that whisks you straight to coastal elegance.

Ocean-fresh seafood mingles with rich, velvety sauce in this indulgent meal that feels like a restaurant-quality experience at home.

Delicate shellfish nestled among perfectly cooked pasta creates an irresistible combination of textures and flavors.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this dish balances maritime ingredients with comforting culinary techniques.

Tender seafood and silky sauce blend seamlessly, offering a remarkable twist on classic pasta preparations.

Impressive yet surprisingly simple, this recipe crafts ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Savor every decadent bite and let this pasta bake transport you to a gourmet seaside escape.

FAQs About Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake

• Can I use different types of seafood in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can substitute lobster or crab with other seafood like scallops or white fish. Just ensure they’re fresh and cook them similarly to maintain the recipe’s delicious flavor profile.

• How can I make this dish less spicy?

Reduce or omit the Creole seasoning if you prefer a milder taste. You can replace it with a blend of herbs like parsley, thyme, or simply use salt and pepper to season the dish.

• Is it possible to make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the entire dish up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it’s coming straight from the refrigerator.

• Can I freeze this pasta bake?

While you can freeze it, the creamy sauce might separate slightly upon thawing. If you do freeze, let it cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven until warmed through.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake

• Dive into a luxurious pasta bake that combines succulent lobster and shrimp with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, creating an irresistible ocean-inspired comfort meal.
• This recipe transforms complex seafood cooking into an approachable, stress-free dish that looks and tastes like a gourmet restaurant creation, perfect for home cooks seeking impressive results.
• Experience a delightful contrast between crispy panko breadcrumb topping, tender seafood, perfectly cooked pasta, and velvety smooth cheese sauce that keeps every bite exciting and satisfying.
• Minimize kitchen cleanup with a single-skillet preparation method that streamlines cooking, allowing you to create a restaurant-quality dinner without multiple pots and complicated techniques.

Ingredients for Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake

• Lobster, Shrimp, Crab: Fresh seafood adds rich ocean flavor, best when bought the same day; wild-caught options preferred for superior taste.

• Pasta: Provides hearty foundation for the dish, holds sauce beautifully.

• Butter, Milk, Cream Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creates luxurious creamy texture, adds depth and richness to the sauce.

• Onions, Garlic: Builds aromatic base, adds subtle sweetness and complexity.
• Creole Seasoning: Brings zesty Southern-style spice, elevates overall dish profile.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides crispy golden crust, adds delightful textural contrast.

• Non-Stick Cooking Spray: Prevents sticking, ensures easy dish removal.
• Flour: Helps thicken sauce, creates smooth consistency.

How to Make Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Dish

Warm the oven to 400°F. Coat a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside for later use.

Step 2: Cook Pasta Perfectly

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook following package directions until tender. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly. Keep in the pot and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté Seafood Blend

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and let it melt completely.

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

• Shrimp
• Crab meat

Sprinkle Creole seasoning over the seafood. Cook until shrimp turns a soft pink color. Remove from heat and mix with the cooked pasta.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Cheese Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour until smooth and silky. Slowly pour milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.

• Remaining Creole seasoning
• Half of the shredded cheeses
• Cream cheese

Stir until all cheeses melt completely and sauce becomes creamy.

Step 5: Combine and Layer Pasta Mixture

Pour cheese sauce over seafood pasta. Mix thoroughly. Transfer half the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle half the remaining cheese. Repeat layers.

Step 6: Add Crunchy Topping

Scatter panko breadcrumbs evenly across the top. Drizzle melted butter over the breadcrumbs for extra golden color.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top turns golden brown and edges bubble with excitement.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Allow the pasta bake to rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps the sauce set and makes serving easier. Dish out generous portions and enjoy the seafood pasta feast!

Tips for the Best Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake

• Master Seafood Timing: Cook shrimp and crab just until pink to prevent overcooking and maintain tender, succulent texture.
• Create Silky Sauce: Whisk flour and butter slowly to prevent lumps, ensuring a smooth, creamy cheese sauce that coats pasta perfectly.
• Layer for Maximum Flavor: Alternate pasta and cheese layers to distribute ingredients evenly and create rich, consistent taste in every bite.
• Breadcrumb Crunch Technique: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs generously and drizzle melted butter to achieve a golden, crispy topping that adds delightful texture.
• Resting Matters: Allow the dish to sit 5-10 minutes after baking to help sauce set and make serving easier without losing creamy consistency.

How to Store and Reheat Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Place in a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Add a splash of milk to restore creaminess if needed.

What to Serve with Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake

• Sip Crisp Chardonnay: A buttery, oak-aged Chardonnay complements the creamy seafood pasta perfectly, matching its rich texture and enhancing the delicate seafood flavors.
• Pair with Crusty Garlic Bread: Toasted artisan bread with garlic butter provides a delightful crunch and helps soak up the luxurious cheese sauce, adding another layer of flavor to the meal.
• Serve Bright Citrus Salad: A light, zesty mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the dish's richness, offering a refreshing contrast and balancing the heavy cream and cheese elements.
• Choose Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: This wine's high acidity and herbal notes will cleanse the palate between bites, making each mouthful of the seafood pasta feel fresh and vibrant.

Delicious Variations of Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake

• Mediterranean Sea Treasure: Swap shrimp and crab with tender white fish like halibut, add diced sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and sprinkle fresh oregano for a Mediterranean coastal flavor profile.
• Spicy Southwest Seafood Fusion: Replace Creole seasoning with chipotle powder, incorporate roasted green chiles, use pepper jack cheese, and top with crispy chorizo crumbles for a bold southwestern kick.
• Smoky Salmon Autumn Comfort: Substitute seafood with flaked smoked salmon, mix in roasted butternut squash cubes, use gruyère cheese, and garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds for a rich, seasonal variation.
• Veggie Ocean Lover's Dream: Keep the creamy sauce base, replace seafood with sautéed artichoke hearts, roasted mushrooms, and tender asparagus pieces, using a blend of vegetarian cheeses for a plant-based alternative.

Creamy Lobster & Shrimp Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Luxurious coastal flavors dance through this lobster & shrimp pasta bake, blending ocean-fresh seafood with rich, velvety cream sauce. Cheese-topped pasta delivers Mediterranean comfort that draws palates into a Mediterranean culinary embrace you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

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Main Seafood Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) large peeled, tail off, deveined shrimp, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• ½ cup (120 grams) lump crab meat
• 1 pound (454 grams) cavatappi pasta

Dairy and Cheese Ingredients:

• 4 cups (960 milliliters) milk
• 2 ½ cups (280 grams) grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 ½ cups (280 grams) grated Gruyere cheese
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, cut into cubes
• 1 stick (113 grams) butter

Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:

• 3–4 green onions, sliced
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose Creole seasonings
• ¼ cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (60 grams) panko breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 400°F and lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
2. Boil pasta in generously salted water until perfectly tender, then drain and reserve in the original pot.
3. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high temperature and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
4. Add shrimp and crab to the skillet, sprinkling with Creole seasoning, and cook until shrimp turns a vibrant pink color.
5. Remove seafood mixture from heat and gently combine with the cooked pasta, ensuring even distribution.
6. Using the same skillet, melt additional butter and whisk in flour until a smooth roux forms.
7. Gradually introduce milk, stirring continuously to create a velvety sauce, incorporating remaining Creole seasoning.
8. Blend in half of the cheese varieties, allowing them to melt completely, then fold in cream cheese and adjust seasonings.
9. Pour the luxurious cheese sauce over the seafood pasta, mixing thoroughly to coat every strand.
10. Transfer half the mixture to the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with a layer of cheese, and repeat the layering process.
11. Generously scatter panko breadcrumbs across the top and drizzle with melted butter for a golden, crispy finish.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns a rich golden brown and edges bubble enticingly.
13. Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes, letting the flavors meld and settle before serving.

Notes

• Seafood Preparation Tip: Sauté shrimp and crab just until pink to prevent overcooking and maintain tender, succulent texture.
• Cheese Sauce Technique: Gradually add milk while whisking to create a smooth, lump-free base that guarantees a silky, creamy consistency.
• Layering Strategy: Alternate pasta-seafood mixture and cheese layers to ensure even distribution of flavors and moist, rich bites throughout the dish.
• Breadcrumb Crunch: Panko topping adds a delightful golden-brown crispy texture that elevates the creamy pasta bake from good to extraordinary.
• Make-Ahead Potential: Assemble the dish in advance and refrigerate, then bake just before serving for a convenient and impressive meal.
• Seasoning Secret: Creole seasoning provides a bold, zesty kick that transforms this pasta bake into a restaurant-quality seafood experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 17g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 27g
• Cholesterol: 150mg