Sea King Dinner
Sea King Dinner is a rich seafood casserole featuring lobster, shrimp, crab, and vegetables in a creamy, cheesy sauce, perfect for special occasions or seafood lovers.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- dash of cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 2 cups milk ⓘ
- 1 (10 oz.) can frozen cream of shrimp soup
- 1 can lobster, cut up ⓘ
- 1 (7 3/4 oz.) can crabmeat, drained and boned ⓘ
- 1 (4 1/2 oz.) can tiny shrimp, drained ⓘ
- 1 (5 oz.) can water chestnuts, drained and sliced ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz.) can mushroom stems and pieces, drained ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt 1/2 cup butter in a 2-quart saucepan.
- Add the chopped green pepper, onion, and celery; sauté until tender.
- Stir in the flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic salt, and salt.
- Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in the frozen cream of shrimp soup.
- Add the lobster, crabmeat, tiny shrimp, water chestnuts, and mushroom stems and pieces; mix well.
- Pour the mixture into a buttered baking dish.
- Top with shredded Cheddar cheese and melted butter.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, try substituting the lobster with shrimp or scallops if you prefer. You can also use frozen vegetables instead of fresh for added convenience. If you want to enhance the flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine or a squeeze of lemon juice to the sauce. Remember to stir constantly while adding the milk to prevent lumps.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh garden salad or crusty bread to soak up the delicious creamy sauce. Serve it alongside rice or quinoa for a hearty meal. For a complete seafood experience, consider serving with a side of marinated catfish or a light seafood salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in an oven-safe dish at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, stirring occasionally, until warm.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sea King Dinner contains roughly 728 calories, with 15g protein, 88g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (115% of the Daily Value), iron (57% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (50% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1591mg per serving (69% 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 make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, simply pour it into the baking dish, top with cheese and butter, and bake as directed. This makes it perfect for entertaining or busy weeknights.
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 an alternative. Adding a little seafood broth or extra seasonings can help maintain the flavor profile. Just make sure to adjust the salt accordingly.
Is this dish suitable for freezing?
Yes, you can freeze the uncooked mixture before baking. Just ensure it's in a freezer-safe dish. When ready to bake, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed. Note that the texture may be slightly different after freezing.
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).