Seafood Au Gratin is a delightful dish that combines the succulent flavors of shrimp and crabmeat with a creamy, cheesy sauce, all baked to perfection. This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy meal, requiring just 25 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or whenever you’re craving a taste of the sea.
Ingredients:
- 1 stalk of celery
- 1 onion
- 1/2 cup of butter
- 1/2 cup of flour
- 1 can (12 oz) of evaporated milk
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 can (8 oz) of water chestnuts
- 1 cup of shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup of crabmeat
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup of dry white wine
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when you’re done preparing the dish.
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Prepare the Vegetables: Start by finely chopping the celery and onion.
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Saute the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped celery and onion to the skillet and sauté until they are softened and translucent, usually taking around 5 minutes.
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Create the Roux: Once the vegetables are soft, sprinkle the flour over them in the skillet. Stir well to combine, ensuring that the flour is evenly distributed and absorbed by the butter, creating a roux.
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Add the Milk: Slowly pour in the evaporated milk while stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and thickened.
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Season the Sauce: Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Stir well to incorporate the seasonings evenly throughout the sauce.
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Incorporate the Seafood: Gently fold in the shrimp and crabmeat, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the seafood to heat through.
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Prepare the Casserole: Transfer the seafood mixture to a greased casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
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Add the Wine and Water Chestnuts: Pour the dry white wine over the seafood mixture in the casserole dish. Drain the water chestnuts and thinly slice them before scattering them over the top of the seafood.
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Sprinkle with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole, providing a deliciously cheesy finish to the dish.
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Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the dish is heated through.
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Serve: Once the Seafood Au Gratin is cooked to perfection, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving. This dish pairs beautifully with a side salad or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 520.1
- Fat Content: 33.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 20.3g
- Cholesterol Content: 228.9mg
- Sodium Content: 878.5mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 23.5g
- Fiber Content: 1.8g
- Sugar Content: 3.2g
- Protein Content: 29.7g
Recipe Notes:
- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite seafood or adjusting the seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
- You can make this dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator before baking. Simply cover it tightly with foil and bake it when you’re ready to serve.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through before serving.
