Creamy Seafood Lasagna is a rich, indulgent twist on a classic Italian favorite. Tender layers of lasagna noodles are filled with a luscious white sauce, succulent shrimp, scallops, and crab, all baked to bubbly perfection with a creamy cheese topping. I love making this dish when I want something elegant and comforting—especially for special occasions or weekend dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s different from the usual red-sauce lasagna—it’s lighter in flavor but still wonderfully rich. The creamy béchamel-style sauce blends beautifully with the delicate seafood, and each bite feels luxurious without being heavy. I also appreciate how well this dish reheats, making it great for leftovers or meal prep. It’s definitely a showstopper whenever I serve it.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Lasagna noodles (no-boil or regular)
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Cooked shrimp (peeled and deveined)
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Scallops (cut in half if large)
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Lump crab meat (or imitation crab, if preferred)
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Butter
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All-purpose flour
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Garlic (minced)
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Onion (finely chopped)
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Whole milk or half-and-half
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Heavy cream
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Parmesan cheese (grated)
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Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
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Ricotta cheese
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Egg
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Salt
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Black pepper
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Fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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If I’m using regular noodles, I cook them until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
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In a saucepan, I melt butter and sauté the onion and garlic until soft. I whisk in the flour to make a roux, cooking it for about 1 minute.
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I slowly pour in the milk and cream, whisking until smooth. I let it simmer until it thickens, then stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
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In a bowl, I mix the ricotta cheese with the egg and a pinch of salt.
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I lightly cook the seafood (just a quick sauté to partially cook the shrimp and scallops) and set it aside.
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To assemble, I spread a thin layer of cream sauce in the bottom of the dish, then layer noodles, ricotta mixture, seafood, mozzarella, and more sauce. I repeat the layers, finishing with sauce and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
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I cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden.
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I let it rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing, and garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 8 people. It takes about 30 minutes to prep and 45–55 minutes to bake, with 10–15 minutes of resting time before serving.
Variations
I sometimes add spinach or sautéed mushrooms between the layers for more depth. If I want a slightly tangier sauce, I stir in a splash of white wine or a squeeze of lemon juice. For a spicy kick, I sprinkle in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. And if I don’t have scallops, I double up on shrimp or crab instead.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers tightly covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I cover the portion with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave individual slices in short intervals. This lasagna also freezes well—I wrap portions tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, I thaw it overnight and reheat as needed.
FAQs
Can I use frozen seafood?
Yes, I use frozen shrimp and scallops often—just make sure they’re fully thawed and patted dry before cooking to avoid excess moisture.
Do I need to pre-cook the seafood?
I like to lightly sauté it before layering. It helps release extra moisture and ensures it cooks evenly in the lasagna.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, I sometimes swap in Gruyère or Fontina for a richer flavor. I keep the mozzarella for melting, but the rest is flexible.
How do I keep the lasagna from being watery?
I drain all seafood well, sauté it briefly, and let the sauce thicken enough before assembling. I also let the lasagna rest after baking to firm up the layers.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, I assemble it up to a day in advance and refrigerate it until ready to bake. I just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
Conclusion
Creamy Seafood Lasagna is a luxurious, comforting dish that brings together tender pasta, velvety sauce, and fresh seafood in the most delicious way. I love how special it feels without being overly complicated. Whether I’m making it for a family gathering or a cozy dinner for two, it always delivers rich, elegant flavor in every bite.
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Creamy Seafood Lasagna
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
Creamy Seafood Lasagna is a decadent, comforting dish layered with tender pasta, luscious white sauce, and a blend of shrimp, scallops, and crab. Topped with melty cheese and fresh herbs, it’s a luxurious twist on traditional lasagna, perfect for special occasions or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
9 lasagna noodles (no-boil or regular)
1/2 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb scallops (cut in half if large)
1/2 lb lump crab meat (or imitation crab)
4 tbsp butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper
Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- If using regular noodles, cook them until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
- Whisk in flour to create a roux and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream. Simmer until thickened, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, and a pinch of salt.
- Lightly sauté shrimp and scallops in a bit of oil just until partially cooked. Set aside with crab meat.
- To assemble, spread a thin layer of sauce in the baking dish. Layer noodles, ricotta mixture, seafood, mozzarella, and sauce. Repeat layers, ending with sauce and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15–20 minutes, until top is golden and bubbly.
- Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve warm.
Notes
Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
A splash of white wine or lemon juice adds brightness to the sauce.
Crushed red pepper flakes bring a spicy kick.
Use Gruyère or Fontina cheese for a richer flavor.
Make ahead and refrigerate overnight—add 5–10 minutes to baking time.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 185mg