A Decadent, Cheesy Seafood Pasta Casserole
Why You’ll Love This
🍤 Juicy shrimp in every forkful
🧀 Three-cheese sauce – creamy, rich, and golden
🔥 Baked to perfection with a crispy breadcrumb topping
⏱ Ready in 40 minutes – impressive but easy
Ingredients
Pasta & Shrimp
12 oz fettuccine (or linguine)
1 lb medium shrimp, peeled & deveined
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Sauce
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella
½ cup grated Parmesan
½ cup shredded Gruyère (or Swiss)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
Topping
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp melted butter
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook Pasta & Shrimp
- Cook pasta 1 minute less than package directs. Drain.
- Heat oil in skillet; sauté shrimp, garlic, and red pepper flakes 2-3 minutes until pink. Set aside.
2. Make Cheese Sauce
- Melt butter in saucepan. Whisk in flour; cook 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream until smooth. Simmer until thickened.
- Remove from heat; stir in cheeses, salt, and pepper.
3. Assemble & Bake
- Mix pasta, shrimp, and sauce in greased 9×13″ dish.
- Combine panko, melted butter, and parsley; sprinkle over top.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Pro Tips
🍋 Brighten it up: Add zest of 1 lemon to the sauce
🍄 Extra veggies: Sauté mushrooms or spinach with the shrimp
🔥 Crispier top: Broil last 2 minutes
Serving Suggestions
🥗 Pair with garlic bread and Caesar salad
🍷 Serve with crisp white wine
🌿 Garnish with fresh basil or chives
“Fancy enough for date night, easy enough for weeknights!” 🍤✨
Storage: Keeps refrigerated 3 days. Reheat with a splash of milk.
Variations:
- Cajun Style: Toss shrimp with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- Lobster Upgrade: Use ½ lb chopped lobster meat with the shrimp
- Lightened Up: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream