Ritzy Seafood Casserole

Dive into the decadence of this Ritzy Seafood Casserole, a luxurious blend of tender shrimp, sweet lump crab meat, and a creamy, cheese-infused sauce topped with a buttery Ritz cracker and parmesan crust. Perfectly seasoned with a hint of garlic, paprika, and fresh parsley, this comforting casserole is as elegant as it is easy to prepare, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. With its rich texture, golden topping, and irresistible flavors, this seafood bake will quickly become your go-to recipe for impressing family and friends. Ready in under an hour, it pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables. Whether for a casual gathering or a celebratory meal, this dish is a seafood lover’s dream!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 0.5 lb lump crab meat
• 6 tbsp butter
• 1 medium yellow onion (finely diced)
• 2 stalks celery (finely diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups whole milk
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp paprika
• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (crushed)
• 0.25 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook until just pink, about 3–4 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

Add another 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Sauté the diced onion, celery, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.

Step 5

Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 3–4 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the cheddar cheese, lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from heat and gently fold in the cooked shrimp and lump crab meat.

Step 8

Pour the seafood mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers, parmesan cheese, and olive oil or melted butter. Mix until the topping is well coated.

Step 10

Sprinkle the Ritz cracker mixture evenly over the seafood casserole.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.

Step 12

Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1966.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4147.0

Total Fat 255.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 125.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.5g
Cholesterol 1507.4mg	0%
Sodium 7793.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 227.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.8g	0%
Total Sugars 42.0g
Protein 234.3g	0%

Vitamin D 174.5IU	0%
Calcium 2502.3mg	0%
Iron 11.3mg	0%
Potassium 3335.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.5%

Protein: 22.6%

Carbs: 21.9%