Shrimp And Eggplant Dressing
A flavorful shrimp and eggplant casserole with fresh herbs, vegetables, and crispy cracker topping, perfect for a hearty family dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. shrimp, cleaned and deveined ⓘ
- 1 large eggplant, peeled ⓘ
- 1 1/2 c. water ⓘ
- 1 onion, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1 c. celery, chopped ⓘ
- 1 stick butter ⓘ
- 1/2 c. bell pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1/2 c. green onions ⓘ
- 1/2 c. parsley ⓘ
- 1/2 c. canned mushrooms ⓘ
- 4 or 5 slices bread
- 1 egg ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- red pepper to taste ⓘ
- black pepper to taste ⓘ
- 2 c. cracker crumbs ⓘ
Instructions
- Cut the shrimp into small pieces.
- Peel the eggplant and cut it into small pieces.
- Simmer the eggplant in water over low heat until tender, then reserve the cooking liquid.
- Saute the chopped onion, chopped celery, and chopped bell pepper in butter until softened.
- Add the shrimp to the sautéed vegetables and cook until the shrimp turn pink.
- Stir in the minced garlic, chopped green onions, chopped parsley, and canned mushrooms.
- Add the cooked eggplant to the shrimp and vegetable mixture.
- Soak the bread slices in the cooled eggplant cooking liquid until fully absorbed.
- Combine the shrimp mixture with the soaked bread, using the beaten egg to help bind everything together.
- Season with salt, red pepper, and black pepper to taste, mixing well.
- Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Top with cracker crumbs.
- Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 45 to 60 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using Old Bay seasoning or a Cajun spice blend when sautéing the vegetables. If eggplant is not available, zucchini can be a great substitute. You can also use pre-cooked shrimp to save time; just reduce the cooking time in the sauté step. A splash of lemon juice can enhance the dish's freshness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the shrimp and eggplant dressing with a light salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. This dish pairs beautifully with Hot Seafood Puffs for an appetizer or side. Consider offering a side of crusty bread to soak up any delicious juices. A crisp white wine would complement the flavors nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place the dressing in a baking dish and cover with foil, warming it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. This helps retain moisture and prevents it from drying out.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Shrimp And Eggplant Dressing contains roughly 619 calories, with 12g protein, 110g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (133% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (37% of the Daily Value), and iron (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. 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 prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the shrimp and eggplant dressing up to the baking step. Assemble everything, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, simply add extra cooking time as it will be going into the oven cold.
What can I use instead of cracker crumbs?
If you don't have cracker crumbs, you can use panko breadcrumbs or even crushed cornflakes for a different texture. For a gluten-free option, consider using crushed gluten-free crackers or almond flour to achieve a similar topping.
How can I adjust the spice level?
To adjust the spice level, you can reduce the amount of red pepper or black pepper used in the recipe. Alternatively, for more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the mixture. Always taste as you go to find your preferred level of spice.
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).