Baked Shrimp Casserole
Baked Shrimp Casserole
Ingredients:
Shrimp — 1 pound (450 g)
Butter (for sauce) — 2 tablespoons
Garlic — 2 cloves, minced
Chicken broth — 1 cup (240 ml)
Heavy cream — 1 cup (240 ml)
Dried thyme — 1 teaspoon
Paprika — 1 teaspoon
Salt and black pepper — to taste
Cheddar cheese — 1 cup (100 g), grated
Parmesan cheese — ¼ cup (25 g), grated
Breadcrumbs — 1 cup (100 g)
Butter (for topping) — 2 tablespoons, melted
Fresh parsley — finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven.
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray to keep the casserole from sticking.
2. Prepare the garlic butter base.
In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of melted butter and 2 cloves of minced garlic until well blended.
This mixture will infuse the dish with a rich, aromatic flavor.
3. Arrange the shrimp.
Spread 1 pound (450 g) of peeled and deveined shrimp evenly across the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
Pour the garlic butter evenly over the shrimp to coat them lightly.
4. Make the creamy sauce.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of chicken broth, 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, and 1 teaspoon of paprika.
Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour this mixture evenly over the shrimp in the dish.
5. Add the cheese layer.
Sprinkle 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese and ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the shrimp and cream mixture.
These will melt into a luscious, cheesy topping as it bakes.
6. Prepare the breadcrumb topping.
In another bowl, mix 1 cup of breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter until fully coated.
Evenly sprinkle this buttery breadcrumb mixture on top of the cheese layer for a golden, crispy finish.
7. Bake until golden and bubbly.
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is beautifully golden brown and the sauce is bubbling gently around the edges.
8. Rest and serve.
Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot — ideally with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy, cheesy sauce.