Zesty Easy Seafood Casserole Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Introduction

Warm, inviting, and bursting with flavor, this Zesty Easy Seafood Casserole is the ultimate comfort dish for cozy family dinners. With its fresh seafood blend, creamy sauce, and a golden topping, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that feels special yet simple enough for busy weeknights.

Why This Zesty Easy Seafood Casserole Is a Family Favorite

This recipe wins everyone over with layered flavors—tender seafood, a hint of citrus zest, and a buttery crunchy topping. It’s easy to prepare, customizable to your family’s favorite seafood, and bakes all together in one dish for easy cleanup. Perfect for gatherings or relaxing weekends, it’s a satisfying meal that brings a touch of coastal flair to your kitchen.

Bold Flavors with Simple Prep

What makes this casserole especially zesty is its lively combination of lemon zest, fresh herbs, and a mildly spiced cream base. You can use a mix of shrimp, white fish, or even scallops—whatever is fresh or in your freezer. The prep is a breeze: most of the work is simply layering the ingredients, letting your oven do all the heavy lifting.

A Crispy, Golden Topping

A mix of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese creates the perfect golden finish. For extra zing, mix in a bit of cayenne pepper or paprika before sprinkling over the casserole. The result? A casserole that boasts both creaminess beneath and crunch above—the best of both worlds.

Zesty Serving Ideas

Serve your seafood casserole with a squeeze of fresh lemon, a side of steamed vegetables, or a crisp green salad to complement the richness. Add toasted baguette for dunking into that silky sauce, and you’ll have a meal that satisfies every family member.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 6 hearty portions. Each serving comes in around 400-450 calories, with lean protein from seafood, a moderate amount of healthy fats, and plenty of flavor. For lighter fare, serve with extra vegetables and go easy on the cheesy topping.

Zesty Easy Seafood Casserole (Recap)

Fresh seafood, bright citrus, and a crunchy cheesy finish make this the ultimate casserole for comforting yet lively family dinners. It’s a delicious way to bring everyone to the table and fill your home with enticing aromas.

💡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

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, seafood, onion, garlic, celery, red bell pepper, lemon zest, parsley, and frozen peas.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cream of celery soup, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), milk, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Pour the sauce mixture over the seafood and vegetables, tossing gently to combine. Spread evenly into the prepared casserole dish.
5. In a small bowl, stir together breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and melted butter. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the casserole.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling and the top is golden brown. If you want extra crunch, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end (watch carefully!).
7. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra parsley and serve with fresh lemon wedges.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Zesty Easy Seafood Casserole is ideal for weekly meal prep—assemble ahead and bake the next day, or portion leftovers for speedy lunches. Save and schedule this recipe to organize your dinners and generate a smart shopping list that merges shared ingredients across all your planned recipes.

Planning Benefits:

– Calculates total ingredient amounts for the whole week
– Groups items by grocery section for faster shopping
– Prevents overbuying and food waste
– Makes managing busy weeknight meals stress-free

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes ahead—if another dinner uses rice or bell pepper, CookifyAI combines them so you buy just what you need!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Enjoy your cozy, zesty seafood casserole—made for flavor, convenience, and happy family dinners!