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Benjamin

Easy Baked Seafood au Gratin

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!
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 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

Method
 

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Make the Crabmeat Crust:
  1. Melt ½ cup of butter in a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper; sauté until tender.
  3. Stir in ½ cup of flour and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
  4. Fold in the crabmeat, remove from heat, and set aside.
Cook the Seafood:
  1. In a large Dutch oven, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
  2. Add the shrimp, scallops, and flounder, simmering for 3 minutes.
  3. Drain the seafood, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid, and set the seafood aside.
Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
  1. In a heavy saucepan, melt the remaining ½ cup of butter over low heat.
  2. Stir in the remaining ½ cup of flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  3. Gradually add the milk and the reserved cooking liquid, whisking until smooth.
  4. Increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and becomes bubbly.
  5. Mix in the shredded Cheddar cheese, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce. Stir until fully combined.
  6. Add the cooked shrimp, scallops, and flounder to the sauce and stir gently to coat.
Assemble the Dish:
  1. Press the crabmeat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust.
  2. Spoon the seafood and cheese sauce mixture over the crabmeat crust.
  3. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
  4. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and bubbling.
  5. 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.
 

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