Description
This decadent seafood lasagna combines succulent shrimp, imitation crab, and spinach in a creamy, cheesy white sauce layered between tender lasagna noodles and baked to golden perfection. Infused with Cajun and Old Bay seasonings for a subtle spicy kick, it’s a comforting and elegant dish perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Seafood Filling
- 1 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 medium yellow onion (1½ cup, 180g, diced)
- 1 rib celery (½ cup, 60g, diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (1 Tbsp, minced)
- 12 oz. shrimp (chopped, tail-off, peeled & deveined)
- 8 oz. imitation crab (chopped)
- ¼ cup frozen spinach (35g, thawed and squeezed)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp Cajun seasoning
White Sauce
- ¼ cup salted butter (57g)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (30g)
- 3 cups whole milk (24 fl oz.)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (50g, finely grated)
- ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
Lasagna Components
- 12 lasagna noodles (uncooked)
- 1 cup cottage cheese (8 oz., 225g)
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (8 oz., shredded)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prep Ingredients: Gather and prepare all ingredients as listed. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles until they are just tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain them well and lay them flat on parchment paper lightly drizzled with oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Vegetables and Seafood: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, celery, and garlic; sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in chopped shrimp, imitation crab, thawed spinach, lemon juice, and Cajun seasoning. Cook just until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Cottage Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the cottage cheese with the chopped fresh parsley. Mix well and set aside for layering.
- Make White Sauce (Béchamel): In a medium saucepan, melt ¼ cup salted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Finish the Sauce: Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and Old Bay seasoning. The sauce should be smooth, silky, and pourable.
- Assemble Lasagna: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the white sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking. Arrange 3 noodles slightly overlapping on top. Layer half of the seafood filling over the noodles, add dollops of the cottage cheese mixture, spoon ⅓ of the white sauce evenly, and sprinkle some mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering once more with noodles, seafood filling, cottage cheese, white sauce, and mozzarella. For the final layer, place the last 3 noodles on top, spread the remaining white sauce evenly, and top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the Lasagna: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and heated through.
- Broil for Finish: Turn the oven to broil on high and place the lasagna under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese on top is golden brown and slightly crisp.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the seafood lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes after removing it from the oven to set. Garnish with any leftover fresh parsley and serve warm. Enjoy your rich and flavorful seafood lasagna!
Notes
- Cook noodles just until tender to prevent mushiness after baking.
- Be careful when broiling; cheese can burn quickly.
- Feel free to substitute imitation crab with real crab meat for a more authentic flavor.
- Leftover lasagna can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- To make ahead, assemble the lasagna and refrigerate overnight before baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
