Description
Baked Seafood au Gratin is a decadent casserole that combines tender shrimp, scallops, and flounder in a creamy cheese sauce, layered over a flavorful crabmeat crust. Topped with Parmesan and baked to golden perfection, this dish is the epitome of comfort food with a touch of elegance. Perfect for special occasions or an indulgent family dinner, this recipe is a seafood lover’s dream!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup butter, divided
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 pound fresh crabmeat
- 4 cups water
- 1 pound fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- ½ pound small scallops
- ½ pound flounder fillets
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1 dash hot pepper sauce
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Make the Crabmeat Crust:
- Melt ½ cup of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper; sauté until tender.
- Stir in ½ cup of flour and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Fold in the crabmeat, remove from heat, and set aside.
- Cook the Seafood:
- In a large Dutch oven, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Add the shrimp, scallops, and flounder, simmering for 3 minutes.
- Drain the seafood, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid, and set the seafood aside.
- Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
- In a heavy saucepan, melt the remaining ½ cup of butter over low heat.
- Stir in the remaining ½ cup of flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually add the milk and the reserved cooking liquid, whisking until smooth.
- Increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes bubbly.
- Mix in the shredded Cheddar cheese, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Stir until fully combined.
- Add the cooked shrimp, scallops, and flounder to the sauce and stir gently to coat.
- Assemble the Dish:
- Press the crabmeat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust.
- Spoon the seafood and cheese sauce mixture over the crabmeat crust.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and bubbling.
- Serve: Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy it warm!
Notes
- Seafood Substitutions: Swap out flounder for cod or halibut, or add lobster for an extra special touch.
- Avoid Overcooking: Boil the shrimp, scallops, and flounder just until tender to keep them from becoming rubbery.
- Crispy Topping: For added texture, sprinkle breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter over the Parmesan before baking.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the dish a day in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Bake it fresh when ready to serve.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American