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 Tutorial
This 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 Recipe
Some 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 Casserole
This 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 Casserole
This 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 Casserole
Serve 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 Recipes
If 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 Skewers
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Shrimp Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs large shrimp, 21-24 count, peeled and deveined
- 1 Tbsp Old Bay Seasoning, plus 1 Tbsp salt for the cooking water
- 2/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp butter, plus more to grease the pan
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 4 oz shredded mozzarella
- 4 oz shredded medium cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 ̊F. Grease a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish* or skillet with butter.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 Tbsp salt and 1 Tbsp Old Bay Seasoning. Add the shrimp and cook for 30 seconds or just when the shrimp are opaque and cooked through. Immediately remove with a strainer and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Let it cool for a few minutes then drain off any water that collects at the bottom of the bowl, or use a paper towel to soak up any liquid at the bottom of the bowl.
- Into the shrimp, add mayo, garlic powder, and black pepper and stir to coat the shrimp. Sprinkle on the cheese and stir again to combine. Transfer the shrimp mixture to your prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly into the pan.
- In a separate bowl or measuring cup, melt 1 Tbsp butter and stir in 1/2 cup bread crumbs until crumbs are evenly moistened. Sprinkle crumbs over the shrimp.
- Bake uncovered at 375 ̊F for 13-15 minutes or until the center reaches 145 ̊F on an instant-read thermometer then broil for 1 to 2 minutes to brown the crumbs. Rest for 15 minutes before serving.* You can serve it warm or at room temperature. It’s still delicious if you have to transport it to someone’s house for dinner!
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Can you use frozen shrimp thats cooked already or frozen shrimp thats uncooked? if so how would ou recommend the change in cooking process where is may or may not need to be boiled first.
Hi Danielle! Here is what one of my viewers said, “Even though I boiled the cooked shrimp for 30 seconds, it came out perfect for me, tender and not rubbery. I baked in a NinjaFoodi at 375 for 15 minutes, no broiling required. Came out perfect!”
I boil frozen shrimp, from frozen, by adding it to boiling water and boiling for 3 minutes, or until opaque. I then remove the shrimp from the boiling water, straight into a bowl of ice water to avoid overcooking
Very much enjoyed this recipe, I will.be making this for Christmas Eve along with my other no-meat dishes. You are a very creative cook and I wish you and your family all the best. Keep up the great cooking!!
Easy to make but special! I may add this dish to our Christmas Eve dinner menu. My teenager especially loved it. Thank you Natasha!
You’re so very welcome! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it.
Natasha knocked it out of the park with this recipe! Quick, easy and delicious.
Thanks! So happy you loved it!