Shrimp Crab Lasagna
Shrimp Crab Lasagna is a decadent seafood comfort dish featuring creamy layers of tender shrimp, sweet crab meat, luscious cheeses, and fresh herbs nestled between delicate pasta sheets. Perfect for special dinners or elevated weeknight meals, this casserole offers a harmonious blend of ocean flavors and classic Italian charm that is both elegant and easy to prepare.
- Author: Julia
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free noodles or vegetable substitutes are used)
Seafood and Proteins
- 1 lb fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup fresh lump crab meat
Cheeses
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Liquids and Sauces
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 cups heavy cream or prepared béchamel sauce
- 2 tbsp butter (for sauce)
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (for sauce)
- 2 cups milk (for sauce)
Pasta
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg or garlic powder (for sauce)
- Olive oil (for sautéing)
- Prepare the Seafood Filling: Peel and devein the shrimp. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté minced garlic and chopped onion until fragrant. Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink. Stir in crab meat and splash white wine, cooking just until heated through. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley and basil. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually add milk or heavy cream while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Simmer until the sauce thickens and becomes velvety. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg or garlic powder for extra flavor. Remove from heat.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles: Boil lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking. Lay noodles flat on a clean towel or baking sheet.
- Assemble the Layers: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of the creamy sauce. Layer noodles over the sauce, then evenly spoon the shrimp and crab filling over the noodles. Add dollops of ricotta cheese followed by a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat the layering process, finishing with a generous cheese layer on top.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving for easier portioning and better set layers.
Notes
- Use fresh shrimp and crab for best flavor and texture.
- Avoid overcooking the seafood to maintain tenderness.
- Layer carefully without overstuffing to ensure clean slices.
- Let the lasagna rest after baking to firm the layers.
- Season each component lightly and evenly to build balanced flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 180mg
Keywords: shrimp lasagna, crab lasagna, seafood casserole, creamy seafood bake, Italian seafood dish, gluten free lasagna