Creamy seafood lasagna is a rich and elegant twist on the classic Italian comfort dish. Layers of tender noodles, succulent seafood, and a smooth white sauce come together in a decadent bake that’s perfect for holidays, special occasions, or any time I want to impress with something a little different. It’s hearty, flavorful, and absolutely satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this lasagna blends creamy, savory flavor with the delicate taste of seafood. The béchamel-style white sauce keeps everything moist and velvety, while the combination of shrimp, crab, or scallops adds a luxurious feel. It’s a beautiful change from red-sauce lasagnas, and still delivers that same comforting, baked-cheesy goodness I crave.
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 (regular or no-boil)
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Butter
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Garlic, minced
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All-purpose flour
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Milk or half-and-half
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Parmesan cheese, grated
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Ricotta cheese
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Mozzarella cheese, shredded
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Salt
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Black pepper
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Old Bay or seafood seasoning (optional)
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Shrimp, peeled and chopped
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Lump crab meat or imitation crab
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Scallops (optional, chopped if large)
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Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
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I cook the lasagna noodles according to the package (unless using no-boil), then drain and set aside.
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In a saucepan, I melt butter and sauté garlic for about a minute.
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I whisk in the flour to form a roux, then slowly add milk while whisking constantly to make a smooth sauce.
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I simmer until thickened, then stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and a pinch of seafood seasoning.
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In a separate skillet, I sauté the shrimp and scallops just until barely cooked—they’ll finish in the oven.
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I mix ricotta with a bit of the Parmesan sauce and season lightly.
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I begin layering: sauce on the bottom, noodles, ricotta mixture, seafood, mozzarella, and repeat until I run out, finishing with sauce and cheese on top.
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I cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
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I let it rest 10 minutes before slicing and garnish with fresh parsley.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 8 servings. It takes around 30 minutes to prep and 40–45 minutes to bake, plus resting time. I usually have it ready in about 1 hour and 30 minutes total.
Variations
Sometimes I add spinach or sautéed mushrooms between the layers for extra texture and flavor. I’ve also made it with salmon or a white fish like cod instead of shrimp. For a bit of kick, I stir in a dash of crushed red pepper or a spoonful of Dijon mustard into the sauce.
Storage/reheating
I store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I cover slices with foil and warm them in a 350°F oven until hot. It can also be frozen—either whole or in portions—then thawed and reheated gently for a make-ahead meal.
FAQs
Can I use frozen seafood?
Yes, I thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking. Too much moisture will water down the lasagna.
What cheese works best?
I love the combo of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Fontina or Gruyère also work beautifully if I want a deeper, nuttier flavor.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, I assemble it the day before and store it in the fridge until I’m ready to bake. I add about 10 extra minutes to the bake time if it’s cold.
Is this seafood lasagna fishy?
Not at all—especially when using fresh or high-quality seafood. The creamy sauce balances the flavors so well that it tastes rich and savory, not overly “seafoody.”
Can I use a jarred Alfredo sauce?
If I’m short on time, yes. I warm it and mix in a little seafood seasoning or garlic to boost the flavor before layering.
Conclusion
Creamy seafood lasagna is a luxurious, satisfying dish that brings something special to the table. With layers of pasta, melty cheese, and flavorful seafood all wrapped in a velvety white sauce, it’s the kind of recipe I turn to when I want to impress—or just treat myself to something truly delicious.
Print
Creamy Seafood Lasagna
- Author: lina
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Description
Creamy seafood lasagna is an elegant twist on a comfort food classic, made with layers of tender noodles, a rich white sauce, succulent shrimp, crab, and scallops, and plenty of melty cheese. Perfect for special occasions or a cozy, indulgent dinner.
Ingredients
- 9 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk or half-and-half
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Old Bay or seafood seasoning (optional)
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 lb lump crab meat or imitation crab
- 1/2 lb scallops (optional, chopped if large)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions if using regular noodles. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Whisk in flour to form a roux, then gradually add milk while whisking to create a smooth sauce.
- Simmer until thickened, then stir in Parmesan, salt, pepper, and seafood seasoning (if using).
- In a skillet, sauté shrimp and scallops just until barely cooked. Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta with 1/2 cup of the white sauce and season lightly.
- Assemble lasagna: Spread a layer of sauce in the bottom of a baking dish, then add noodles, ricotta mixture, seafood, mozzarella, and repeat layers. Finish with sauce and mozzarella on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Add spinach or sautéed mushrooms for more flavor and texture.
- Substitute salmon or white fish like cod for variety.
- A touch of Dijon mustard or red pepper flakes can add subtle heat.
- Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze for later.
- Reheat covered in a 350°F oven until hot throughout.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
