Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab

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Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab

Main Dishes

If you’re looking for a luxurious twist on a classic comfort food, this Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab is the perfect recipe to try. Layers of creamy cheese, succulent seafood, and tender pasta make every bite rich and satisfying. It’s a show-stopping dish ideal for special dinners or when you want to treat yourself to something truly delicious.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Decadent & Creamy – A rich béchamel sauce and gooey cheeses create an ultra-comforting experience.
Seafood Lover’s Dream – Sweet shrimp and tender crab bring a fresh, ocean-inspired flavor.
Perfect for Entertaining – Impressive and elegant enough for guests.
Make-Ahead Friendly – Assemble it in advance and bake when ready.
Versatile – Easily swap or add your favorite seafood options.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Seafood:

  • 1 lb shrimp (peeled, deveined, and chopped)
  • 1 cup lump crab meat (picked over for shells)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ tsp paprika

For the Béchamel Sauce:

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk (warm)
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground white pepper
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Cheese Mixture:

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Other Ingredients:

  • 9 lasagna noodles (cooked according to package instructions)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (for topping)
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Tools You’ll Need

  • Large skillet
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon
  • Aluminum foil

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Seafood

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Stir in chopped shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque.
  4. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  5. Gently fold in the crab meat and cook for another 2 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Béchamel Sauce

  1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux (no color).
  3. Slowly whisk in warm milk until smooth and lump-free.
  4. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in salt, white pepper, nutmeg, and Parmesan.
  6. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Mix the Cheeses

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, and parsley.
  2. Mix until well blended and creamy.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Add a layer of lasagna noodles (3 noodles side by side).
  4. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
  5. Spoon 1/3 of the seafood mixture over the cheese layer.
  6. Pour 1/3 of the béchamel sauce on top.
  7. Repeat the layers two more times, finishing with béchamel sauce.
  8. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.

Step 5: Bake the Lasagna

  1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (tent it slightly to avoid cheese sticking).
  2. Bake for 25 minutes covered.
  3. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  4. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
  5. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Tips for the Best Seafood Lasagna
Use Fresh Seafood – Fresh shrimp and real crab make a big flavor difference.
Don’t Overcook the Seafood – Since it bakes later, only partially cook it during prep.
Layer Evenly – This ensures every bite has a bit of everything.
Rest Before Slicing – Letting it rest helps it firm up and slice cleanly.
Add Veggies – Spinach or finely diced zucchini make great additions to the layers.

Serving Suggestions
Garlic Bread – Perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
Caesar Salad – A crisp and tangy side complements the richness of the lasagna.
Roasted Asparagus – Light and flavorful, adds freshness to the meal.
Sparkling Water with Lemon – A refreshing drink to balance the richness.

How to Store & Reheat

Storing:
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking.

Reheating:
Oven: Cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
Microwave: Heat individual portions in 30-second intervals until hot.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I use imitation crab?
    Yes, you can use imitation crab if lump crab isn’t available.
  2. What other seafood can I add?
    Scallops, cooked salmon, or white fish are excellent additions.
  3. Can I make this gluten-free?
    Yes, use gluten-free lasagna noodles and flour in the béchamel.
  4. Is this lasagna good for meal prep?
    Absolutely! Assemble it ahead and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.

Final Thoughts
This Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab is a decadent, restaurant-worthy dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. The delicate blend of seafood and creamy cheeses layered between pasta sheets creates a satisfying, elegant meal. It’s a delightful alternative to traditional meat lasagna and a surefire way to impress at your next dinner gathering.

Try it out and let me know what you think! Don’t forget to leave a review below and share your photos on Pinterest! I can’t wait to see how your dish turns out.
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 460 | Protein: 30g | Carbohydrates: 28g | Fat: 26g | Fiber: 2g | Sodium: 580mg

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Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab

Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab


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  • Author: Paula
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Description

If you’re looking for a luxurious twist on a classic comfort food, this Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab is the perfect recipe to try. Layers of creamy cheese, succulent seafood, and tender pasta make every bite rich and satisfying. It’s a show-stopping dish ideal for special dinners or when you want to treat yourself to something truly delicious.

 

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Ingredients

Scale

For the Seafood:

  • 1 lb shrimp (peeled, deveined, and chopped)

  • 1 cup lump crab meat (picked over for shells)

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • ½ tsp paprika

For the Béchamel Sauce:

  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 3 cups whole milk (warm)

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ¼ tsp ground white pepper

  • ¼ tsp nutmeg

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Cheese Mixture:

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan

  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Other Ingredients:

  • 9 lasagna noodles (cooked according to package instructions)

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)

  • 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (for topping)

  • Chopped parsley for garnish


Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Seafood

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

  2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  3. Stir in chopped shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque.

  4. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

  5. Gently fold in the crab meat and cook for another 2 minutes.

  6. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Béchamel Sauce

  1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

  2. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux (no color).

  3. Slowly whisk in warm milk until smooth and lump-free.

  4. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.

  5. Stir in salt, white pepper, nutmeg, and Parmesan.

  6. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Mix the Cheeses

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, and parsley.

  2. Mix until well blended and creamy.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

  3. Add a layer of lasagna noodles (3 noodles side by side).

  4. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.

  5. Spoon 1/3 of the seafood mixture over the cheese layer.

  6. Pour 1/3 of the béchamel sauce on top.

  7. Repeat the layers two more times, finishing with béchamel sauce.

  8. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.

Step 5: Bake the Lasagna

 

  1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (tent it slightly to avoid cheese sticking).

  2. Bake for 25 minutes covered.

  3. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.

  4. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

  5. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Use Fresh Seafood – Fresh shrimp and real crab make a big flavor difference.
Don’t Overcook the Seafood – Since it bakes later, only partially cook it during prep.
Layer Evenly – This ensures every bite has a bit of everything.
Rest Before Slicing – Letting it rest helps it firm up and slice cleanly.
Add Veggies – Spinach or finely diced zucchini make great additions to the layers.

  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

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