Prepare your taste buds for an extraordinary culinary journey with this Decadent Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab. This dish isn't just a meal; it's an experience that brings gourmet flair right to your dinner table. Imagine perfectly cooked lasagna noodles embracing a luscious blend of tender shrimp, sweet lump crab meat, creamy ricotta, and a rich, savory marinara sauce, all topped with gooey mozzarella and Parmesan, baked to golden, bubbly perfection. It's the ultimate comfort food, elevated to a whole new level!
Whether you're planning a special family dinner, celebrating a holiday, or simply want to treat yourself to something truly spectacular, this seafood lasagna is guaranteed to impress. Its intricate layers of flavor and satisfying texture make every bite a memorable one.
Why You Need This Seafood Lasagna Recipe
This recipe isn't just another lasagna; it's a showstopper. Here’s why it’s about to become your new favorite:
- Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The delicate sweetness of shrimp and crab perfectly complements the creamy ricotta and tangy marinara, creating a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Elegant Presentation: Layers of golden pasta and bubbling cheese make this dish visually stunning, perfect for any special occasion.
- Comfort Food Remastered: It takes the cherished warmth of traditional lasagna and infuses it with luxurious seafood, offering a delightful and sophisticated twist. If you appreciate hearty, comforting pasta dishes, you might also enjoy our recipe for The Ultimate Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Copycat (Clara's Recipes).
Key Ingredients for Seafood Lasagna Perfection
Crafting this masterpiece relies on a few high-quality ingredients:
- Quality Seafood: Fresh, plump shrimp and sweet lump crab meat are the stars. Their delicate flavors truly shine when fresh.
- Creamy Ricotta: Essential for that signature lasagna creaminess. Whole milk ricotta offers the best richness.
- A Trio of Cheeses: Mozzarella provides the irresistible melt, while Parmesan adds a sharp, salty depth.
- Robust Marinara Sauce: A good quality marinara acts as the perfect flavor base for your seafood.
- Lasagna Noodles: Oven-ready noodles save time, but traditional ones boiled al dente work beautifully.
- Aromatics: Garlic and fresh parsley uplift all the flavors. When mincing garlic or chopping parsley, a Quality Chef's Knife makes prep work a breeze!
Tips for Crafting Your Best Seafood Lasagna
Achieving a perfectly layered and flavorful seafood lasagna is simpler than you think:
- Don't Overcook the Seafood: Shrimp cook very quickly. Lightly sauté them until they just start to turn pink, as they will finish cooking in the oven. The crab meat just needs to be warmed through.
- Drain Your Ricotta: If your ricotta cheese is too wet, drain it in a fine-mesh sieve for 15-30 minutes. This prevents your lasagna from becoming watery.
- Layer Thoughtfully: Distribute your sauce, seafood mixture, and cheeses evenly across each layer for a balanced bite every time.
- Rest is Best: After baking, let the lasagna rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set, making for cleaner cuts and preventing it from falling apart.
Serving Suggestions
This rich seafood lasagna is substantial enough to be a complete meal on its own. However, a light, crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast. A basket of warm, crusty garlic bread is also an excellent addition for soaking up any extra delicious sauce. For another comforting dinner idea, check out our Slow Cooker Beef Curry: An Easy, Flavorful & Comforting Recipe.
Get ready to create a truly magnificent dish that will have everyone asking for seconds. Follow the detailed recipe card below and prepare to savor every bite of this decadent seafood lasagna!
FAQs
Can I prepare this seafood lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the entire lasagna up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly and refrigerate. When ready to bake, allow it to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed, potentially adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What type of shrimp and crab meat should I use?
For the best results, use medium-sized shrimp, peeled and deveined. For the crab, high-quality lump crab meat (fresh or canned and well-drained) is recommended for its sweet flavor and tender texture.
How do I prevent the lasagna from being watery?
To avoid a watery lasagna, ensure your ricotta cheese is well-drained. You can place it in a fine-mesh sieve for 15-30 minutes. Also, avoid overcooking the seafood initially, and allow the baked lasagna to rest for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing; this helps the layers set and absorbs excess moisture.
Can I add other types of seafood to this lasagna?
Absolutely! While shrimp and crab are stellar, you can experiment with bay scallops, small pieces of flaky white fish like cod, or even lobster. Just be sure to lightly cook any additional seafood before layering to prevent overcooking in the oven.
Decadent Seafood Lasagna with Shrimp & Crab
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Pescatarian
Description
This luxurious seafood lasagna features layers of tender pasta, succulent shrimp, sweet crab, creamy ricotta, and a rich marinara sauce, baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 oz lump crab meat, drained and picked for shells
24 oz jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
15 oz ricotta cheese, drained
1 large egg
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
9-12 lasagna noodles, oven-ready or pre-boiled al dente
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes, just until they turn pink. Remove shrimp from heat and roughly chop if desired. Gently fold in the drained crab meat. Set aside.
Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, chopped fresh parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Step 4: Spread about 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Step 5: Arrange 3-4 lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping if necessary. Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles.
Step 6: Top the ricotta layer with half of the shrimp and crab mixture, then sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Spoon another 1 cup of marinara sauce over the cheese.
Step 7: Repeat the layering: noodles, remaining ricotta, remaining shrimp and crab, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and another 1 cup of marinara sauce.
Step 8: Place the final layer of noodles, then top with the remaining marinara sauce, the last 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Step 9: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden. If desired, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes for extra browning.
Step 10: Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the layers to set and makes for cleaner portions.
Notes
For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a splash of white wine to the seafood when sautéing, allowing it to reduce before adding crab. Garnish with fresh basil or extra parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
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