Seafood Delight Casserole Recipe

Best Seafood Delight Casserole Recipe for a Cozy Family Dinner

Seafood delight casserole brings together ocean-inspired flavors that dance across your palate with unexpected harmony.

Imagine a dish that captures maritime magic in every single bite.

Mediterranean coastal influences weave complexity through tender protein selections and delicate seasonings.

Succulent ingredients meld into a comforting masterpiece that celebrates marine culinary traditions.

Textures ranging from silky to crisp create sensational layers of gustatory pleasure.

Rich, elegant preparations convert simple components into an extraordinary dining experience.

You can adore how this recipe effortlessly impresses dinner companions with its sophisticated yet approachable charm.

Explore this culinary adventure and savor each delectable spoonful.

FAQs on Seafood Delight Casserole

  • Can I substitute the seafood if I don't like some types?

Yes, you can easily swap shrimp, scallops, or crabmeat with other seafood like cod, salmon, or even imitation crab. Just ensure the replacement seafood has similar cooking times.

  • How long can I store this seafood casserole?

Store the casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for best results, avoiding microwave to maintain texture.

  • Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, the recipe uses flour to thicken the sauce. For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.

  • Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the casserole up to the final baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to cooking time.

Why Seafood Delight Casserole Is a Crowd Favorite

  • This casserole transforms simple seafood ingredients into a luxurious, restaurant-quality dish that brings gourmet flavors right to your dining table.
  • The recipe follows an easy layering method with minimal prep time, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want a delicious meal without complicated techniques.
  • The combination of white wine, heavy cream, and dijon mustard creates a rich, velvety sauce that perfectly complements the delicate seafood, delivering an indulgent taste experience.
  • Tender shrimp, succulent scallops, and flaky flounder provide a variety of textures, while the golden-brown top adds a satisfying crispy element to each comforting bite.

What’s Inside the Seafood Delight Casserole

Seafood Base:
  • Shrimp, Scallops: Tender ocean proteins that form the main protein of the dish, best when fresh and sustainably sourced.
  • Crabmeat: Sweet and delicate seafood that adds rich maritime flavor, premium lump crab recommended.
  • Flounder Fillets: Mild white fish that serves as the casserole foundation, choose fresh or high-quality frozen fillets.
Sauce Components:
  • Butter: Provides rich, smooth base for sauce and helps with cooking, unsalted preferred.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture and enhances overall richness.
  • Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce, low-sodium version works best.
  • White Wine: Introduces subtle complexity and helps deglaze the pan, dry varieties recommended.
  • Dijon Mustard: Brings tangy depth and helps emulsify the sauce.
  • Flour: Assists in thickening the sauce and creating smooth consistency.
Seasoning and Finishing:
  • Old Bay Seasoning: Classic seafood spice blend that provides signature maritime flavor.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall taste profile.
  • Water: Used for initial fish baking to maintain moisture.

Seafood Delight Casserole: Easy Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Kickstart the Seafood Sauté

Grab a large skillet and warm it up over medium-high heat. Melt butter or drizzle olive oil into the pan. Toss in:
  • Shrimp
  • Scallops
Quickly sear the seafood until they turn a gorgeous golden color. Splash in some white wine to add depth, then stir in:
  • Heavy cream
  • Chicken broth
  • Dijon mustard
  • Seasonings

Cook for another minute, then gently remove the seafood and set aside.

Step 2: Craft the Creamy Sauce

In the same skillet, combine butter pre-mixed with flour to create a roux. Let it simmer on low heat until the sauce thickens beautifully. Fold in:
  • Precooked seafood
  • Crabmeat

Ensure every morsel gets coated in the luscious sauce.

Step 3: Prepare the Flounder Base

Fire up the oven to 350°F. Spread flounder fillets in a casserole dish. Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning and add a touch of water. Bake for 10 minutes, then drain any excess liquid.

Step 4: Build the Seafood Layers

Spread the seafood mixture over the pre-baked flounder. Dust with additional Old Bay seasoning for an extra flavor punch. Return to the oven and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes until the top turns golden and bubbly.

Step 5: Serve with Celebration

Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking. Scoop out generous portions and watch as your dinner guests dive into this oceanic delight. Bon appétit!

Tips for Nailing Your Seafood Delight Casserole

  • Sear Seafood Quickly: Cook shrimp and scallops just until they turn opaque to prevent overcooking and maintain tender, juicy texture.
  • Balance Sauce Consistency: Whisk flour and butter mixture slowly to avoid lumps, creating a smooth, velvety sauce that coats seafood perfectly.
  • Layer Strategically: Arrange flounder as the base to absorb flavors and prevent the bottom from becoming soggy during baking.
  • Boost Seasoning Depth: Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning generously at different stages to build complex, rich maritime flavor throughout the casserole.
  • Watch Baking Time Carefully: Monitor golden-brown surface and bubbling edges to ensure seafood remains moist and doesn't dry out during final baking stage.

How to Store and Reheat Seafood Delight Casserole

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover seafood casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Carefully transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe dish, covering tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen seafood casserole maintains quality for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying and restore moisture to the delicious seafood layers.

What to Serve Alongside Seafood Delight Casserole

  • Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: Select a medium-bodied white wine with buttery notes that complement the rich seafood and creamy sauce, enhancing the delicate flavors of shrimp, scallops, and crabmeat.
  • Serve with Herbed Focaccia Bread: Choose a warm, soft focaccia topped with fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme to soak up the luxurious sauce and provide a textural contrast to the tender seafood.
  • Complement with Fresh Citrus Salad: Prepare a light, zesty salad with mixed greens, orange segments, and a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the casserole's richness and provide a refreshing palate cleanser.
  • Add Roasted Asparagus Side: Roast asparagus spears with olive oil, sea salt, and lemon zest to create a simple, elegant vegetable accompaniment that matches the seafood's delicate flavors and adds nutritional balance.

Ways to Customize Your Seafood Delight Casserole

  • Mediterranean Seafood Medley: Replace Old Bay seasoning with za'atar, add kalamata olives, and incorporate feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version with tangy Mediterranean flavors.
  • Cajun Seafood Bake: Swap white wine for dark beer, add Cajun spice blend, include andouille sausage, and mix in bell peppers for a spicy New Orleans-style casserole with bold Creole undertones.
  • Asian Fusion Seafood Casserole: Use coconut milk instead of heavy cream, season with ginger and lemongrass, add chopped water chestnuts for crunch, and finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an exotic Southeast Asian profile.
  • Herbs de Provence Seafood Casserole: Infuse the sauce with dried lavender, substitute chicken broth with white vermouth, mix in fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary, and top with herbed breadcrumbs for a French countryside-inspired dish.
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Seafood Delight Casserole Recipe

Seafood Delight Casserole Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Seafood lovers rejoice with this creamy Seafood Delight Casserole, blending ocean-fresh ingredients into a comforting Mediterranean-inspired dish. Layers of tender shrimp, flaky fish, and rich cheese melt together, inviting you to savor each luxurious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Seafood:

  • 4 ounces (113 grams) flounder fillets, divided into two parts
  • 6 extra-large shrimp
  • 6 large scallops
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) lump crabmeat

Dairy and Liquids:

  • 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) butter, divided
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
  • ¾ cup (180 milliliters) chicken stock

Seasonings and Herbs:

  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon chopped Italian parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Ignite the seafood’s flavor profile by gently caramelizing shrimp and scallops in a sizzling skillet with melted butter, creating a golden exterior. Deglaze the pan with a splash of crisp white wine, then introduce heavy cream, chicken broth, dijon mustard, and a medley of seasonings to develop a luxurious sauce.
  2. Extract the perfectly seared seafood and set aside, preserving their delicate texture. Transform the remaining pan drippings by whisking in flour-infused butter, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and thicken into a velvety consistency.
  3. Carefully fold in the reserved seafood and tender crabmeat, ensuring each morsel is generously coated with the rich sauce. Allow the mixture to rest while preparing the foundation of the dish.
  4. Preheat the oven to a steady 350°F. Arrange delicate flounder fillets in a casserole dish, seasoning with a light dusting of Old Bay and a modest splash of water. Bake briefly to partially cook the fish and release any excess moisture.
  5. Lovingly cascade the creamy seafood mixture over the partially cooked flounder, creating an enticing layered landscape. Sprinkle an additional whisper of Old Bay seasoning across the surface for an extra flavor dimension.
  6. Return the casserole to the oven, allowing it to bake until the top transforms into a golden, effervescent crust and the interior reaches a luxurious, bubbling perfection.
  7. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest momentarily, allowing the flavors to harmonize. Serve immediately, revealing a sublime seafood experience that celebrates ocean-fresh ingredients and culinary craftsmanship.

Notes

  • This luxurious seafood casserole combines multiple ocean treasures like shrimp, scallops, crabmeat, and flounder into one decadent dish.
  • Precise sautéing and layering techniques ensure each seafood element remains tender, succulent, and perfectly cooked without becoming rubbery.
  • White wine and heavy cream create a rich, velvety sauce that elevates the delicate seafood flavors and provides a stunning silky texture.
  • Old Bay seasoning acts as a signature flavor enhancer, infusing the entire casserole with a classic maritime taste profile that complements the seafood.
  • Gradual baking process helps develop deep, complex flavors while maintaining the seafood’s delicate texture and preventing overcooking.
  • Versatile recipe allows for potential ingredient substitutions based on personal preference or seasonal seafood availability.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 486
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 673 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 179 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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