Ina Garten’s Magical Seafood Casserole Recipe For Dinner Joy

Check out a sumptuous seafood casserole that redefines dinnertime magic with its oceanic charm.

Waves of flavor crash through this luxurious dish, transforming mundane meals into extraordinary culinary poetry.

Creamy, decadent textures intertwine with delicate marine notes that sing on your tongue.

Each succulent bite tells a story of coastal comfort and gastronomic passion.

Tender seafood nestles beneath a silky sauce that whispers gourmet sophistication.

Luxurious ingredients meld together, creating a harmonious symphony of taste that transports you to seaside bliss.

This isn’t just a meal, it’s an edible love letter to the ocean’s bounty that will make your taste buds dance with pure delight.

Tools for Ina Garten Seafood Casserole

• Oven: Essential for baking the seafood casserole to golden perfection.
• Medium saucepan: Perfect for creating the rich, creamy seafood sauce.
• Sheet pans: Helps handle gratin dishes with ease and catch any potential drips.
• Gratin dishes: Individual serving vessels that make this dish look stunning.
• Whisk: Crucial for smoothly blending the butter-flour mixture into the sauce.
• Separate sauté pan: Great for cooking the vegetable medley with precision.
• Mixing bowl: Ideal for combining seafood and holding cooked ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cutting board: Helps with chopping herbs and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for mincing garlic and chopping fresh herbs.

Bake Instructions for Seafood Casserole

• Prepare the Kitchen

Crank up the oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab some individual baking dishes and set them on sheet pans for hassle-free handling.

• Craft the Seafood Sauce

Whip up a luxurious sauce by combining stock, cream, wine, and tomato puree with a pinch of saffron. Gently poach the seafood in stages, starting with shrimp, then halibut, transferring each to a bowl as they cook. Let the sauce simmer and reduce, whisking in a butter-flour blend to create a silky, thick consistency.

• Transform Vegetables

In a sizzling pan, melt butter and toss in leeks and carrots. Let them dance until they soften, splashing in some wine for extra flavor. Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, cooking until the vegetables become tender and fragrant.

• Build and Bake the Seafood Creation

Distribute the cooked seafood evenly across the baking dishes. Shower the dishes with sautéed vegetables and drench in the velvety sauce. Whip up a crispy topping by mixing panko, parmesan, herbs, garlic, and melted butter. Scatter this golden mixture over the casseroles and slide them into the oven. Bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges bubble with mouthwatering promise.

Tips to Improve Seafood Casserole Flavor

• Customize Seafood Magic: Swap out halibut for fresh cod or sea bass to match your local market's catch of the day.
• Lighter Sauce Swap: Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk for a healthier, equally creamy sauce that keeps the dish light and bright.
• Wine Wisdom: Select a crisp white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to enhance the seafood's delicate flavors and add depth to the sauce.
• Gluten-Free Hack: Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening the sauce, and choose gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to make this recipe accessible for everyone with dietary restrictions.

Seafood Casserole: Serving Suggestions

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor that adds a vibrant finishing touch to your seafood casserole.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, crusty sourdough or French bread to soak up the rich, creamy sauce and complete your gourmet meal experience.
• Complement with Crisp White Wine: Choose a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay to enhance the delicate seafood flavors and balance the creamy sauce perfectly.
• Create a Side Salad: Toss a light mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the rich and indulgent seafood casserole.

Save & Reheat Seafood Casserole with Ease

• Meal Preservation Strategies
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover seafood casserole in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Carefully seal to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freeze with Caution: Wrap individual portions tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Seafood dishes freeze well for 1-2 months, but texture might slightly change upon reheating.
• Reheat Gently: Warm individual portions in the oven at 325°F for 15-20 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out, ensuring the seafood remains tender and sauce stays creamy.
• Portion Control: Divide casserole into single-serve containers before storing. This method makes meal prep easier and helps maintain optimal taste when reheating smaller quantities.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 560 kcal

Servings: 5

Seafood Casserole: Ingredients at a Glance

• Shrimp: Select fresh, wild-caught shrimp with a sweet ocean aroma.
• Halibut: Choose firm, white fish with a clean, mild flavor.
• Lobster: Pick fresh, cold-water lobster for superior sweetness.

• Seafood Stock, White Wine: Choose high-quality, dry white wine for depth.
• Heavy Cream: Select fresh, full-fat cream for rich, luxurious texture.
• Tomato Puree: Opt for smooth, ripe tomato puree without added preservatives.

• Saffron: Source premium Spanish saffron for authentic golden color.
• Salt, Pepper: Use freshly ground sea salt and cracked black pepper.
• Butter: Select unsalted, high-quality European-style butter.

• Leeks, Carrots: Choose organic, crisp vegetables with vibrant colors.

• Panko Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Select coarse Japanese breadcrumbs and aged parmesan.
• Parsley, Tarragon: Pick fresh, bright green herbs with robust aromas.
• Garlic: Use fresh, firm garlic cloves with strong, pungent flavor.

Elegant Seafood Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s seafood casserole blends rich flavors from coastal New England with creamy textures and fresh ingredients. Delicious layers of shrimp, scallops, and cod create a luxurious meal you can savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

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• 8 oz (226 g) raw shrimp, peeled and cut in half
• 8 oz (226 g) raw halibut, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 8 oz (226 g) cooked lobster meat, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 3 cups julienned leeks (white and light green parts)
• 1 ½ cups julienned carrots
• 1 cup seafood stock or clam juice
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• ½ cup + 3 tbsps white wine (like Chablis)
• ⅓ cup grated Parmesan
• 7 tbsps unsalted butter
• 3 tbsps tomato puree
• 2 tbsps minced fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
• ½ tsp saffron threads
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack at middle level and preheat to 375°F. Arrange four individual gratin dishes on sturdy baking sheets to ensure uniform heat distribution.
2. Seafood Poaching: Create a fragrant poaching liquid by combining seafood stock, heavy cream, white wine, tomato puree, and saffron in a saucepan. Gently poach shrimp and halibut separately for 3 minutes each, then combine with pre-cooked lobster in a separate bowl.
3. Sauce Development: Reduce poaching liquid by half, then incorporate a butter-flour liaison to create a velvety sauce. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, whisking until the sauce reaches a luxurious, smooth consistency.
4. Vegetable Preparation: Sauté leeks and carrots in butter until tender and translucent. Deglaze the pan with white wine, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until vegetables are perfectly softened.
5. Assembly and Baking: Distribute seafood evenly among gratin dishes, layer with sautéed vegetables, and pour thickened sauce over the mixture. Create a crisp topping by mixing panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, tarragon, garlic, and melted butter. Sprinkle topping over the casserole and bake for 20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.

Notes

• Seafood Selection Matters: Choose fresh, high-quality seafood like wild-caught shrimp, halibut, and lobster for maximum flavor and texture. Freshness guarantees a superior taste experience.
• Sauce Consistency is Key: Reduce sauce slowly and whisk carefully to prevent lumps. The right thickness transforms the entire dish from good to extraordinary.
• Sauté Vegetables Carefully: Cook leeks and carrots until just tender to maintain their delicate flavor and prevent overcooking. Proper vegetable preparation enhances the overall depth of the casserole.
• Breadcrumb Topping Technique: Mix panko, Parmesan, and herbs thoroughly before adding melted butter. Ensure even coating for a perfectly crispy, golden-brown crust that adds irresistible crunch to the seafood casserole.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 28 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg