Seafarer'S Bake
A hearty seafood and fish casserole layered with cheeses, herbs, and creamy sauce, perfect for seafood lovers seeking a comforting, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 large onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese ⓘ
- 1 cup creamy cottage cheese ⓘ
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp. Italian herb seasoning ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- 1 can cream of celery soup ⓘ
- 1/3 cup milk ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) bag frozen cooked shrimp ⓘ
- 1 lb. frozen fish fillets, cubed and thawed ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. seasoned bread crumbs ⓘ
- 1/3 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- butter or margarine ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook and drain the lasagna noodles.
- Arrange 3 cooked noodles in the bottom of a greased oblong 2-quart baking dish.
- Press thawed spinach in a strainer to remove all moisture.
- In a skillet, heat vegetable oil and sauté chopped onion until translucent.
- Add cream cheese, cottage cheese, beaten egg, Italian herb seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix well.
- In a bowl, combine cream of celery soup and milk to make a creamy sauce.
- Add cooked shrimp and cubed fish fillets to the cheese mixture.
- Layer some of the seafood mixture over the noodles in the baking dish.
- Repeat layering with remaining noodles and seafood mixture.
- Pour the creamy soup mixture over the assembled layers.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, seasoned bread crumbs, and shredded Cheddar cheese on top.
- Dot with butter or margarine.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 35-45 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider using ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese. If you want to add more vegetables, sautéed spinach or bell peppers can be great additions. To save time, you can use pre-cooked shrimp. Make sure to drain your seafood well to avoid excess moisture, which can make the dish soggy.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or garlic bread to complement the flavors. A light white wine, such as Pinot Grigio, also enhances the seafood. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside roasted vegetables or a simple pasta dish. For more seafood inspiration, browse more Seafood recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Seafarer's Bake can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. Avoid microwaving, as it may make the noodles chewy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Seafarer'S Bake contains roughly 651 calories, with 23g protein, 56g carbohydrates, and 38g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (46% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (24% of the Daily Value), and iron (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2082mg per serving (91% 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 fresh fish instead of frozen for this recipe?
Yes, you can use fresh fish fillets instead of frozen ones. Just ensure they are well cleaned and cut into similar-sized cubes for even cooking. Fresh fish may require slightly less baking time, so keep an eye on it as it cooks.
Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the Seafarer's Bake a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator before baking. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap. When ready to bake, remove the wrap and add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it's coming straight from the fridge.
What can I substitute for cream of celery soup?
If you don't have cream of celery soup, you can substitute it with cream of mushroom soup or make a homemade version using a roux, milk, and sautéed celery. This will provide a similar creamy texture and flavor to the dish.
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).