The Best Shrimp Casserole is an incredibly useful and satisfying dish, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions that demand minimal fuss. This recipe delivers a comforting, creamy, and flavorful seafood bake that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Key Ingredients for The Best Shrimp Casserole:
- 1.5 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup milk (or heavy cream for extra richness)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill (optional, but recommended)
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (like Italian seasoned or panko)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
How to Make The Best Shrimp Casserole:
This easy and delicious shrimp casserole is a satisfying marvel, boasting a creamy, rich texture that will have everyone asking for seconds. With a preparation time of approximately 20 minutes and a baking time of 25–30 minutes, it’s an ideal option for a quick yet impressive meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Shrimp: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Ensure your shrimp are peeled, deveined, and patted dry with paper towels. If your shrimp are large, you can cut them in half.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and milk (or heavy cream). Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the lemon juice, salt, black pepper, dill (if using), and paprika into the cream cheese mixture. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Incorporate Shrimp and Cheese: Add the prepared shrimp to the cream cheese mixture. Stir gently to coat the shrimp evenly. Then, stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese (1/2 cup).
- Assemble the Casserole: Pour the shrimp mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the seasoned breadcrumbs and melted butter. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.
- Top and Bake: Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the shrimp mixture in the baking dish. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the breadcrumbs.
- Bake Until Golden and Bubbly: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to scoop and serve.
Why You’ll Love This The Best Shrimp Casserole:
You’ll adore this Best Shrimp Casserole for its wonderfully creamy, comforting embrace of tender shrimp, bathed in a rich sauce that’s both decadent and surprisingly easy to whip up. Unlike some more involved seafood recipes, this casserole is incredibly budget-friendly when made at home, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-worthy dish without the hefty price tag. The golden, crunchy breadcrumb topping, melded with savory cheese, transforms simple ingredients into a textural and flavorful masterpiece, far surpassing any bland, boxed mix.
This dish is a true weeknight warrior, offering maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it a fantastic alternative to pasta bakes or pot pies that often require more time and attention. If you’ve enjoyed creamy chicken bakes or gratins, prepare yourself for a seafood revelation that brings a delightful brightness and a hint of the sea. Go ahead and give this Best Shrimp Casserole a try – your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
- Refrigeration: Allow the Best Shrimp Casserole to cool completely. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating:
- Oven: For the best texture, reheat individual portions or the entire casserole in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. This helps maintain the crispiness of the topping.
- Microwave: You can reheat smaller portions in the microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Note that the topping may lose some of its crispiness.
- Freezing: While this casserole is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze cooled leftovers. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen casserole can be kept for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above.
Final Thoughts:
This Best Shrimp Casserole is a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly magical and incredibly satisfying. We encourage you to whip up this delightful dish at home and experience its comforting flavors and textures for yourself. It’s a recipe designed for enjoyment and ease, perfect for any occasion.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
The Best Shrimp Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Ensure your shrimp are peeled, deveined, and patted dry with paper towels. If your shrimp are large, you can cut them in half.1.5 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5–7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and milk (or heavy cream). Stir until smooth and well combined.8 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup milk
- Stir in the lemon juice, salt, black pepper, dill (if using), and paprika into the cream cheese mixture. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon dried dill, 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Add the prepared shrimp to the cream cheese mixture. Stir gently to coat the shrimp evenly. Then, stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese (1/2 cup).1.5 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Pour the shrimp mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine the seasoned breadcrumbs and melted butter. Stir until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the shrimp mixture in the baking dish. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the breadcrumbs.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to scoop and serve.