In our Shrimp Casserole recipe, we top a cheesy and creamy shrimp with crunchy bread crumbs that bake up perfectly in the oven. This 30-minute meal is perfect for a holiday table, but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
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Shrimp Casserole Video TutorialThis 30-minute Shrimp Casserole comes together quickly for a cheesy, crunchy shrimp bake. Watch me cook and layer this casserole in no time at all!
Easy Shrimp Casserole RecipeSome of my favorite holiday and party dishes are shrimp, such as Shrimp Cucumber Bites, Shrimp Cakes, and Ceviche – they feel fancy but are super simple to make. This shrimp casserole dish was created from our Cheesy Garlic Shrimp Appetizer, one of our favorite starters to take to potluck events, except this casserole is even easier!
I brought this 30-minute shrimp casserole to my parent’s house to celebrate my Dad’s birthday with my sisters and their families—the ultimate test for my new recipes. He loved it—they all loved it, and nothing was left in the dish! I knew it was a winner.
Tips for Making Shrimp CasseroleThis beginner-friendly shrimp casserole comes together in just moments, but here are a few tips to make it even easier:
Thaw the shrimp properly– If you live near water, fresh shrimp is great, but frozen shrimp work great too for those of us who are land-locked, just be sure to thaw according to package instructions.
Don’t overcook shrimp – Shrimp cook quickly! I boil for literally 30 seconds. Overcooked shrimp will turn rubbery.
Remove excess water – the filling won’t stick well to the shrimp and can get runny if they are wet, so be sure to drain any water after boiling. If the shrimp release more water in the oven, use a paper towel to soak up the excess water.How to Make Shrimp CasseroleThis 30-minute shrimp bake comes together quickly and easily. Be sure to keep the shrimp as dry as possible before mixing the filling.
Prep the baking dish/skillet/casserole with butter, preheat the oven to 375°F. Note on baking dishes: Use either a 2 1/2 qt casserole dish or a 10” deep dish oven-safe skillet. You can also use a 9×9 casserole dish or 9” pie pan.
Boil Shrimp – Bring a large pot of water to a boil (I filled a 6-qt pot 3/4 full). Add 1 Tbsp each of salt and Old Bay Seasoning to the water, and then add shrimp to the boiling water for 30 seconds. They should be just cooked and opaque, but not overcooked. Remove shrimp with a strainer to a bowl to cool for 10 minutes, then pat dry any liquid on the bottom with a paper towel.
Mix mayo, garlic powder, and pepper into the shrimp and then stir to be sure the shrimp are covered. Mix the cheeses into the shrimp filling. Spread the shrimp casserole filling into the prepared dish or skillet.
Melt 1 Tbsp of butter in a measuring cup or bowl, and then mix the breadcrumbs into the melted butter until evenly covered. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the shrimp filling.
Bake the casserole uncovered in the oven until the center reaches 145°F, around 15 minutes. Then Broil for 1-2 minutes until the breadcrumbs are lightly browned. Rest for 15 minutes before serving. Pro Tip: Sometimes, shrimp release extra water when they are overcooked or thawed improperly. If you see extra liquid at the bottom of your casserole after baking, don’t worry—just use a paper towel to soak it up.
What to Serve with Shrimp CasseroleServe shrimp casserole warm or room temperature, so it is easy to transport to a potluck. We like to serve it alongside starch, such as Rice, Quinoa, Mashed Potatoes, veggies, and crusty bread. Here are a few of our favorite sides:
Roasted Carrots
Green Beans Almondine
Tomato Cucumber Mozzarella Salad
Caesar Salad
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Spaghetti Squash
Sourdough Bread
Focaccia Bread Make-Ahead
Make-Ahead: Spread the filling into the dish in step 3 and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to bake, mix the butter and breadcrumbs to be sure your topping stays crisp.
To Refrigerate: cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing the cooked shrimp casserole.
To Reheat: Add breadcrumb topping if not already added and reheat in the oven or air fryer. Try this Shrimp Casserole for your holiday or party menu this year since casseroles are so easy to make, take, and serve a crowd. Your guests will love the decadent, creamy 30-minute casserole recipe with the crispy breadcrumb topping.
More Shrimp RecipesIf you love this shrimp casserole recipe, I know you’ll love these other shrimp recipe favorites.
Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp Cobb Salad
Creamy Shrimp Pasta
Shrimp Fried Rice
Coconut Shrimp with Dipping Sauce
Shrimp Alfredo Fettuccine
Grilled Garlic Cajun Shrimp SkewersHUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to Natasha’s Newsletter and YouTube for meal-time inspiration and let’s connect on social! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and X for a peek behind the scenes of Natasha’s Kitchen.