Quick Seafood Casserole: The Easiest Meal
Introduction
A Quick Seafood Casserole delivers big, comforting flavor with minimal effort. Imagine tender shrimp, flaky fish, and succulent scallops bathed in a creamy, savory sauce, all bubbling together beneath a golden, crunchy topping. This dish is weeknight magic: it goes from start to table in under an hour, and it’s a one-dish wonder everyone loves—perfect when you’re short on time but still want a satisfying, restaurant-style meal at home.
Why This Quick Seafood Casserole Is a Winner
What makes this seafood casserole standout is its simplicity—just assemble, bake, and serve. The mix of seafood brings varied textures and flavors, complemented by an easy homemade cream sauce and a topping that bakes up beautifully crisp. It’s both elevated and unfussy, so it’s equally at home for casual dinners or special occasions.
The Creamy Sauce: Flavorful and Fuss-Free
A speedy roux (a mixture of butter and flour) forms the foundation, thickened with milk and a touch of seafood stock or white wine for layered flavor. A sprinkle of cheese and a dash of Old Bay seasoning round out the sauce, enhancing but never overpowering the seafood. You’ll get a luxurious, flavorful base without a lot of fuss.
Assembling Your Seafood Casserole
Layer the assorted seafood in a baking dish, pour over your silky sauce, and finish with a topping of buttery breadcrumbs or crushed crackers. The oven does the rest, melding the flavors and creating a dish that’s creamy and bubbling underneath, golden and crispy on top.
Serving Suggestions for the Easiest Meal
Serve your casserole hot alongside steamed green beans, lemon wedges, and a crusty loaf of bread to soak up the sauce. For a lighter touch, pair it with a simple green salad tossed in vinaigrette—this meal easily adapts for any occasion.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields 4 hearty servings. Each serving is approximately 400-500 calories (depending on ingredients used), packed with lean protein and a healthy dose of omega-3s. Enjoy a balanced and comforting main course that feels indulgent without being heavy.
Quick Seafood Casserole (Recap)
Seafood casserole is effortlessly delicious—a combination of fast prep, easy cleanup, and crowd-pleasing taste makes it an essential in any busy cook’s meal rotation. Just layer, bake, and enjoy!
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium casserole dish.
- In a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute, until foamy but not browned.
- Gradually whisk in milk and seafood stock or wine, stirring constantly until thickened and smooth (about 3–5 minutes).
- Remove from heat. Stir in Old Bay seasoning, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the mixed seafood in an even layer in the prepared baking dish. Pour the cream sauce over the seafood, gently stirring to coat.
- In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the topping is golden and the casserole is bubbling. Finish under the broiler for 1–2 minutes if a crispier top is desired.
- Remove from oven, rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley or chives. Serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
Weekly Meal Planning
This casserole is ideal for prepping ahead—assemble the dish in advance and bake when ready, or portion leftovers for quick reheats during the week. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to seamlessly plan which days to make it and auto-generate shopping lists for a streamlined grocery experience.
Planning Benefits:
- Auto-calculates ingredient needs for any number of servings or multiple recipes
- Organizes your grocery list by store section for faster trips
- Prevents duplicate purchases with smart item merging
- Keeps your weeknight dinners varied and organized
Pro tip: When creating a full weekly menu, schedule your recipes so overlapping ingredients (like cheese or seafood stock) are consolidated, making planning and shopping incredibly efficient.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Enjoy the ultimate combination of flavor, simplicity, and convenience with this Quick Seafood Casserole—the easiest meal for busy nights.
