This Shrimp Casserole is a rich, creamy, and comforting seafood dish that brings the coast straight to your kitchen table. Succulent shrimp are seasoned with Old Bay, coated in a creamy garlic dressing, and baked under a blanket of melted cheese and crispy buttery breadcrumbs.
With its savory flavor and golden crunchy topping, this casserole is an impressive main course that is surprisingly easy to throw together for a weeknight meal or special gathering.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: A savory seafood delight featuring the classic spice of Old Bay, the richness of cheddar and mozzarella, and a hint of garlic.
- Texture: Tender, juicy shrimp are enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with a satisfyingly crisp panko crust.
- Time: 15 minutes prep, 15 minutes cook time.
- Difficulty: Easy. It involves a quick boil and a simple mix-and-bake method.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a large pot for boiling the shrimp and a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish (or oven-safe skillet) for baking. A strainer is essential for draining the shrimp quickly. The ingredients combine fresh seafood with pantry staples like mayonnaise, panko, and Old Bay seasoning to create a decadent dish.
Ingredient Notes
- Large Shrimp – Use 2 lbs of large shrimp (21-24 count), peeled and deveined. A quick boil in seasoned water ensures they are perfectly tender before baking.
- Old Bay Seasoning – This iconic seafood spice blend is used twice: once to flavor the boiling water and infuse the shrimp, and again (implicitly in the flavor profile) as the primary seasoning note.
- Mayonnaise – This acts as the creamy binder for the casserole, keeping the shrimp moist and rich without needing a heavy cream sauce.
- Cheeses – A blend of shredded mozzarella and medium cheddar offers the perfect balance of gooey melt and sharp flavor.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – Panko crumbs are lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, creating the perfect golden topping.
- Butter – Melted butter moistens the breadcrumbs, helping them brown beautifully in the oven.
- Garlic Powder & Black Pepper – Simple seasonings that enhance the savory profile of the dish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Vegetables – You can stir in thawed peas, diced bell peppers, or chopped celery for added crunch and color.
- Spice – For a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the mayonnaise mixture.
- Topping – Crushed ritz crackers or saltines can be used in place of panko for a more old-fashioned casserole texture.
How to Make Shrimp Casserole
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 ̊F. Grease a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish or skillet with butter.
- Boil Shrimp: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 Tbsp salt and 1 Tbsp Old Bay Seasoning. Add the shrimp and cook for just 30 seconds, or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through. Do not overcook. Immediately remove with a strainer and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Let it cool for a few minutes.
- Dry Shrimp: Drain off any water that collects at the bottom of the bowl as the shrimp cool, or use a paper towel to soak up any excess liquid. This prevents a watery casserole.
- Mix Filling: Into the bowl with the shrimp, add the mayonnaise, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir to coat the shrimp evenly. Sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese and stir again to combine. Transfer the shrimp mixture to your prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
- Make Topping: In a separate bowl or measuring cup, melt 1 Tbsp butter and stir in the 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Sprinkle the crumbs over the shrimp mixture.
- Bake: Bake uncovered at 375 ̊F for 13-15 minutes or until the center reaches 145 ̊F on an instant-read thermometer. Then, turn on the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes to brown the crumbs.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow the filling to set slightly.
Pro Tip: The 30-second boil is crucial. You are essentially blanching the shrimp to cook them halfway. They will finish cooking in the oven. If you boil them fully, they will become rubbery after baking.
Recipe Tips
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. Grating your own block cheese results in a creamier, better-tasting casserole.
- Watch the Broiler: Panko burns fast! Keep an eye on the casserole during the final 1-2 minutes under the broiler to ensure it gets golden brown, not charred.
- Drain Well: Shrimp release liquid as they cool. Ensuring the bowl is drained before adding the mayo is key to a rich, creamy sauce rather than a soup.
FAQs
- Can I use frozen shrimp? Yes, thaw them completely before boiling.
- Can I make this ahead? You can assemble the casserole (without the crumb topping) earlier in the day and refrigerate. Add the buttery crumbs right before baking. You may need to add 5 minutes to the baking time.
- Is this keto-friendly? To make it keto, omit the panko crumbs or use crushed pork rinds for the topping.
Serving Suggestions
- Rice: Serve over steamed white rice or wild rice pilaf to soak up the creamy juices.
- Vegetable: A side of roasted asparagus or green beans cuts through the richness.
- Bread: Crusty French bread is perfect for scooping.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Transporting: As noted in the instructions, this dish is still delicious served warm or at room temperature, making it an excellent candidate for potlucks or transporting to a dinner party.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave.
Shrimp Casserole
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
Description
This Shrimp Casserole is a rich, creamy, and comforting seafood dish that brings the coast straight to your kitchen table. Succulent shrimp are seasoned with Old Bay, coated in a creamy garlic dressing, and baked under a blanket of melted cheese and crispy buttery breadcrumbs. With its savory flavor and golden crunchy topping, this casserole is an impressive main course that is surprisingly easy to throw together for a weeknight meal or special gathering.
Ingredients
The Seafood Base
- 2 lbs large shrimp (21–24 count), peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning (for the cooking water)
- 1 tablespoon salt (for the cooking water)
The Creamy Filling
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 4 oz shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 4 oz shredded medium Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
The Topping
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- Extra butter for greasing the pan
Instructions
Prep
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 2 1/2-quart casserole dish (or large oven-safe skillet) with butter.
Boil Shrimp
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and Old Bay Seasoning. Add the shrimp and cook for exactly 30 seconds, or just until opaque. Do not overcook.
Drain & Cool
Immediately remove the shrimp with a strainer and transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Let them cool for a few minutes.
Dry Shrimp
Drain off any liquid that accumulates at the bottom of the bowl as the shrimp cool, or pat them dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial to prevent a watery casserole.
Mix Filling
Add the mayonnaise, garlic powder, and black pepper to the shrimp. Stir to coat evenly. Sprinkle in the shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses and stir again to combine.
Assemble
Transfer the shrimp mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
Make Topping
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and Panko breadcrumbs. Stir until the crumbs are moistened. Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the shrimp mixture.
Bake
Bake uncovered for 13–15 minutes, or until the center reaches 145°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Broil
Turn on the broiler for 1–2 minutes to brown the breadcrumbs. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Serve
Let the casserole rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
Notes
The 30-Second Rule: The initial boil is essentially a blanching step to cook the shrimp halfway. They will finish cooking in the oven. If you boil them fully on the stove, they will turn rubbery after baking.
Drain Well: Shrimp release moisture as they cool. Make sure you drain the bowl well before adding the mayonnaise, otherwise, your sauce will be soupy rather than creamy.
Grate Your Own: For the best texture, grate your own block cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
Keto Option: To make this low-carb, simply omit the Panko topping or substitute it with crushed pork rinds mixed with a little Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Main Course
- Method: Boiling / Baking
- Cuisine: American Seafood
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving (approx. 1/6 of dish)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 215mg
Keywords: creamy shrimp casserole, seafood bake, old bay shrimp recipe, baked shrimp, easy seafood dinner, cheesy shrimp recipe, weeknight casserole
