This luxurious Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab is the ultimate comfort food with a decadent twist. It’s creamy, rich, and packed with tender seafood layered between perfectly cooked noodles and a luscious, cheesy sauce. If you’re craving something indulgent yet easy enough for a weeknight dinner, this recipe is a must-try. It brings the elegance of a seafood feast into a bubbling casserole that’s hard to resist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: Every bite is a delicious blend of tender shrimp, sweet crab, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella.
- Weeknight Friendly: Despite its gourmet feel, this lasagna comes together quickly and easily with simple ingredients.
- Crowd Pleaser: It’s perfect for impressing guests or making an ordinary dinner feel extra special.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare it in advance and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into building this creamy seafood dream:
- Lasagna noodles: These provide the base and structure. Use oven-ready noodles to save time.
- Shrimp: Peeled and deveined, small to medium shrimp are best for even layering and tender bites.
- Crab meat: Lump crab adds a sweet, delicate flavor. Imitation crab can be used if needed.
- Ricotta cheese: Creamy and rich, this forms the smooth base of the cheese layer.
- Mozzarella cheese: Adds that gooey, melty factor we all love in lasagna.
- Parmesan cheese: Sharp and salty, it deepens the flavor of the dish.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic infuses the sauce with aromatic depth.
- Onion: Finely chopped and sautéed for a sweet, savory base.
- Butter: Used to sauté and build the creamy white sauce.
- Flour: Thickens the sauce into a luscious bechamel.
- Milk: The base of the sauce, whole milk works best for richness.
- Spinach (optional): A touch of greenery adds contrast and nutrition.
- Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning: Essential for seasoning all layers perfectly.
Variations
- Add Scallops: Small bay scallops cook fast and blend beautifully with shrimp and crab.
- Spicy Kick: Mix in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and substitute cornstarch for flour in the sauce.
- Low-Fat Option: Swap whole milk with a low-fat version and use part-skim cheeses.
How to Make Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a large skillet, melt butter and sauté the onion and garlic until translucent. Stir in flour and cook briefly, then whisk in milk to form a creamy bechamel. Simmer until thick, then season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
Step 2: Cook the Seafood
Lightly cook the shrimp in the sauce until just pink, then gently fold in the crab meat. Do not overcook; seafood should stay tender.
Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna
In a baking dish, layer noodles, seafood sauce, dollops of ricotta, a handful of mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with cheese on top.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: They cook fast and can become rubbery if left too long.
- Use Fresh or Thawed Seafood: Avoid using frozen shrimp or crab straight from the freezer. Thaw completely and pat dry.
- Layer Evenly: Spread the filling and cheese uniformly for a consistent bite every time.
- Let it Rest: Allow the lasagna to sit before cutting to help the layers set beautifully.
How to Serve
This seafood lasagna is rich and satisfying on its own, but here are some pairing ideas:
Garnishes:
Fresh parsley, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a dusting of extra Parmesan.
Side Dishes:
A crisp green salad with vinaigrette or garlic bread makes a perfect companion.
Drinks:
Pair with a chilled glass of white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors get even better overnight.
Freezing
Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.
Reheating
Warm in a 350°F oven until hot, or microwave individual portions with a splash of milk to keep it moist.
FAQs
Can I use canned crab meat?
Yes, just be sure to drain it well and pick through for any shell pieces.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
What’s the best shrimp to use?
Small to medium peeled and deveined shrimp are ideal. They cook evenly and are easy to layer.
Can I add vegetables?
Definitely! Spinach, zucchini slices, or mushrooms make great additions.
Final Thoughts
This Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab is the kind of dish that turns any dinner into a celebration. It’s elegant yet incredibly comforting, packed with irresistible flavors and cheesy goodness. Give it a try and enjoy the magic of seafood lasagna at home—no restaurant reservation needed!
Print
Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This creamy and indulgent seafood lasagna features tender shrimp, sweet crab, and a cheesy bechamel sauce layered with pasta. It’s perfect for both special occasions and easy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- Oven-ready lasagna noodles
- 1 lb small to medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb lump crab meat (or imitation crab)
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic; sauté until translucent.
- Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in milk to create a bechamel sauce. Simmer until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Add shrimp and cook just until pink. Gently fold in crab meat. Remove from heat.
- In a baking dish, layer oven-ready lasagna noodles, seafood sauce, dollops of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat layers and finish with cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until top is golden and bubbly.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the shrimp; they cook quickly and can become rubbery.
- Use fresh or fully thawed seafood for best texture and flavor.
- Let the lasagna rest after baking to allow the layers to set properly.
- Optional additions: spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, or red pepper flakes for spice.
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