🦞 Seafood Lovers’ Dream: Gourmet Cassolette Recipe
Meta Description:
This Seafood Cassolette is the ultimate dish for seafood lovers — a creamy, flavorful French-inspired casserole loaded with shrimp, scallops, and fish, baked in a rich white wine and cheese sauce. Elegant, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make!
🍽️ Introduction
If you adore seafood, this Gourmet Seafood Cassolette is your dream come true. It’s a luxurious, restaurant-style dish that combines tender shrimp, scallops, and white fish in a velvety, cheesy cream sauce, baked until golden and bubbling.
Originating from French coastal cuisine, the cassolette is a small baked casserole known for its rich flavors and elegant presentation. Despite its gourmet name, this recipe is simple enough to prepare at home and perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special.
🦐 Ingredients
For the Seafood Mixture:
- 200 g (7 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 200 g (7 oz) scallops (or substitute with extra shrimp or fish)
- 150 g (5 oz) white fish fillet (like cod or haddock), cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (120 ml) white wine (optional, or use fish stock)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika or cayenne (optional for a mild kick)
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For Topping:
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Seafood
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add shrimp, scallops, and fish, season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Cook for 3–4 minutes until just opaque.
- Pour in white wine (or stock) and simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux.
- Gradually add milk and cream, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and parsley.
- Cook for another minute until creamy, then remove from heat.
Step 3: Assemble the Cassolette
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- In small ovenproof ramekins or a single casserole dish, layer the cooked seafood evenly.
- Pour the creamy sauce over the seafood.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and melted butter, then sprinkle on top.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling.
Step 5: Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice and serve hot with crusty bread, rice, or mashed potatoes.
🍷 Serving Suggestions
This Seafood Cassolette pairs beautifully with:
- A glass of chilled white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay)
- Steamed asparagus or green beans
- Garlic bread or baguette slices for dipping into the sauce
🧁 Storage Tips
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 180°C (350°F) until hot. Avoid microwaving to keep the seafood tender.
Rich, creamy, and full of ocean flavor — this Seafood Lovers’ Dream Cassolette is a show-stopping dish that brings French elegance to your table. Simple enough for a weeknight, yet sophisticated enough for a romantic dinner or holiday meal.
