Royal Seafood
A creamy seafood casserole combining shrimp, crabmeat, and rice or pasta, enriched with a savory sauce and topped with paprika, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. shrimp, cooked and cleaned ⓘ
- 1 lb. crabmeat
- 2 cans cream of shrimp soup ⓘ
- 3/4 cup Heritage milk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise ⓘ
- small onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 cups celery, chopped ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons parsley
- 5 oz. water chestnuts, sliced ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon sherry ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- paprika for sprinkling ⓘ
- 2 cups raw rice or pasta ⓘ
Instructions
- Blend the cream of shrimp soup with milk and mayonnaise until smooth.
- Cook the rice or pasta according to package instructions.
- Combine cooked seafood, chopped onion, chopped celery, parsley, sliced water chestnuts, nutmeg, sherry, salt, and pepper with the soup mixture.
- Simmer the mixture for a few minutes to blend flavors.
- Pour the cooked rice or pasta into a 19 x 9-inch casserole dish.
- Pour the seafood mixture over the rice or pasta and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle with paprika on top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30 minutes, adding a little milk if it becomes dry.
Tips & Substitutions
For added creaminess, consider using half-and-half instead of milk. You can also substitute fresh herbs for parsley, such as dill or chives, to add a unique flavor. If you prefer a lighter dish, use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt. To add a crunch, consider tossing in some crushed crackers or breadcrumbs on top before baking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Royal Seafood with a fresh side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with Charlie's Caesar Salad for a refreshing contrast. For a heartier meal, consider serving with crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce. This dish is also a great centerpiece for a seafood-themed dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. If the dish seems dry, add a splash of milk or broth during reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Royal Seafood contains roughly 822 calories, with 10g protein, 76g carbohydrates, and 56g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (81% of the Daily Value), iron (25% of the Daily Value), and protein (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1736mg per serving (75% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen seafood for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen seafood, but make sure to thaw it completely and drain any excess water before adding it to the mixture. This will help maintain the desired texture and flavor of the dish.
What can I substitute for cream of shrimp soup?
If you don't have cream of shrimp soup, you can use cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup as a substitute. To enhance the shrimp flavor, consider adding a few cooked shrimp to the mixture for added depth.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, Royal Seafood is great for meal prep. You can assemble the dish ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, then bake it just before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and makes for an easy weeknight dinner.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).