Description
This hearty Seafood Lasagna combines succulent shrimp, imitation crab, and spinach layered between tender lasagna noodles and a creamy, flavorful white sauce. Enhanced with Parmesan, mozzarella, cottage cheese, and a touch of Cajun and Old Bay seasonings, this dish offers a luxurious seafood twist on a classic Italian favorite. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection, it’s a comforting meal that serves nine and makes for an impressive family dinner or special occasion.
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 and Cheese Layers
- 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
- Preparation: Gather and prep all ingredients. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking later.
- Cook Noodles: Boil lasagna noodles in salted water until just tender but not overcooked. Drain thoroughly and lay the noodles flat on parchment paper lightly drizzled with oil to prevent sticking as they cool.
- Sauté Seafood Mixture: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and minced garlic, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until softened and aromatic. Stir in the chopped shrimp, imitation crab, thawed spinach, lemon juice, and Cajun seasoning. Cook just until the shrimp turn pink and are fully cooked through, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Prepare Cottage Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the cottage cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Set aside for layering later.
- Make White Sauce (Béchamel): In a medium saucepan, melt ¼ cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux, removing the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the whole milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook, whisking frequently, until thickened and creamy, about 5-6 minutes.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and Old Bay seasoning into the white sauce. The sauce should be silky and pourable, perfect for layering.
- Assemble Lasagna: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of white sauce evenly over the bottom. Arrange 3 cooked lasagna noodles slightly overlapping on top. Spread half of the seafood mixture evenly over the noodles, then dollop half of the cottage cheese and parsley mixture over the seafood. Pour one-third of the white sauce over the cheese, then sprinkle with a portion of shredded mozzarella. Repeat this layering process once more: noodles, remaining seafood, cottage cheese mixture, white sauce, and mozzarella. Finish with the last 3 noodles, spread the remaining white sauce evenly over them, and top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15-20 minutes to allow the cheese to brown and the dish to bubble. For a golden, bubbly topping, switch the oven to broil and cook for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes to set and make slicing easier. Garnish with any leftover fresh parsley if desired, then slice and serve warm to enjoy the rich layers of creamy seafood goodness.
Notes
- Do not overcook the lasagna noodles during boiling; they will cook further in the oven and should hold their shape for layering.
- Make sure to squeeze excess water from the thawed spinach to avoid watery filling.
- The Cajun and Old Bay seasonings add subtle spice and complexity; adjust their amounts to taste or omit if preferred.
- Using a mixture of cottage cheese and mozzarella provides creaminess and meltiness without being too heavy.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it firm up, making it easier to cut and serve without falling apart.
- For best results, use fresh Parmesan cheese instead of pre-grated for more authentic flavor and better melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
