Description
A creamy, savory shrimp and pasta casserole that comes together in under 30 minutes. This dish features tender shrimp, al dente pasta, and a rich cheese sauce topped with a crunchy breadcrumb crust, making it the perfect low-stress weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340g) Rotini or Penne Pasta
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
- 1 cup (240ml) Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Chicken Broth
- 4 ounces (115g) Cream Cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons Sherry or Dry White Wine
- 1 pound (450g) Raw Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1.5 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 cup Breadcrumbs (Panko recommended)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Fresh Parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop cooking.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Whisk in softened cream cheese until melted and smooth. Add sherry and simmer for 2 minutes to thicken slightly. Remove from heat.
- Pat shrimp dry and toss with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear in the skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until pink. Remove shrimp from pan.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, creamy sauce, and seared shrimp. Mix gently to coat.
- Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Mix shredded cheddar, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and sauce is bubbling.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Ensure shrimp are raw and patted dry before searing to prevent steaming. Use al dente pasta as it will continue to cook in the oven. If using pre-shredded cheese, note that anti-caking agents may affect melting. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use less cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion of cassero
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: shrimp casserole, weeknight dinner, easy recipes, creamy pasta, comfort food, 30 minute meals, seafood dinner