Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab
A rich, creamy, and decadent twist on classic lasagna—packed with tender shrimp, sweet crab, and a luxurious cheese sauce.
Ingredients:
For the Seafood Filling:
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1 lb (450g) medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
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1 lb (450g) lump crab meat, picked over for shells
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3 tbsp butter
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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½ tsp Old Bay seasoning (or paprika + pinch of cayenne)
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¼ cup dry white wine (or seafood stock)
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2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
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Salt & black pepper to taste
For the Cheese Sauce (Béchamel):
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4 tbsp butter
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¼ cup all-purpose flour
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3 cups whole milk (or half-and-half for extra richness)
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1 cup shredded mozzarella
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½ cup grated Parmesan
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½ tsp nutmeg (optional)
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Salt & white pepper to taste
For Assembly:
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9-12 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or boiled al dente)
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2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (mozzarella, provolone, fontina)
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½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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½ cup ricotta cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
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1 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Seafood Filling:
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In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (30 sec).
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Add shrimp, Old Bay, salt, and pepper. Cook until shrimp turns pink (~2-3 mins).
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Deglaze with white wine (or stock), simmer 1 min. Stir in crab meat and parsley. Remove from heat.
2. Make the Cheese Sauce (Béchamel):
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In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux (1 min).
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Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Simmer until thickened (~5 mins).
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Remove from heat, stir in mozzarella, Parmesan, nutmeg, salt, and white pepper.
3. Assemble the Lasagna:
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Layer 1: Spread ½ cup cheese sauce on the bottom.
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Layer 2: Add a layer of noodles (3-4 sheets).
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Layer 3: Spread ½ seafood mixture, then ½ remaining cheese sauce.
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Layer 4: Sprinkle 1 cup Italian cheese blend.
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Repeat layers (noodles, seafood, sauce, cheese).
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Top with final noodle layer, remaining sauce, Parmesan, and ricotta (if using).
4. Bake & Serve:
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Cover with foil and bake 30 mins. Uncover, bake 10-15 mins until bubbly and golden.
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Let rest 10 mins before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs.
Tips:
✅ No-Boil Noodles: If using oven-ready noodles, ensure enough sauce to soften them.
✅ Make Ahead: Assemble 1 day ahead; refrigerate (add 10-15 mins baking time).
✅ Freezer-Friendly: Freeze unbaked lasagna (thaw before baking).
Serve with: Garlic bread, Caesar salad, or roasted asparagus.
Enjoy this luxurious, seafood-packed twist on lasagna! 🦐🦀🧀
