Description
Succulent shrimp nestled in a creamy, herbed sauce make this Baked Stuffed Shrimp Casserole a Mediterranean-inspired comfort dish. Seafood enthusiasts will savor each luxurious, cheese-topped bite that brings coastal flavors directly to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 pound lump crab meat
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon (plus wedges for serving)
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup crushed cracker crumbs
- 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and shrimp at 425°F. Butterfly shrimp by cutting along the back without separating completely. Coat shrimp with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Create stuffing mixture by combining crab meat, cracker crumbs, garlic, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and melted butter. Mix gently to preserve crab texture.
- Layer shrimp in baking dish with cut sides facing down and tails pointing upward. Spread crab stuffing evenly over and around shrimp, pressing gently to adhere.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes until shrimp are fully cooked and stuffing turns golden brown. Optional: Broil for 1 minute to create crispy top surface, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Transfer casserole to serving plate immediately. Accompany with fresh lemon wedges for guests to squeeze over the dish, enhancing the seafood flavors.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality shrimp and crab meat for the most delicious and authentic flavor profile.
- Avoid overmixing the stuffing to preserve the delicate texture of the crab meat and prevent a mushy consistency.
- Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning to ensure proper browning and prevent excess moisture during baking.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute cracker crumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed almond flour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 660 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg