Gourmet Seafood Cassolette Recipe
A rich and comforting Gourmet Seafood Cassolette featuring a medley of shrimp, scallops, white fish, and mussels in a creamy garlic-white wine sauce, topped with Parmesan cheese and crispy breadcrumbs, then baked to golden perfection.
- Author: Ava
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Seafood
- 1 lb mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, white fish fillets, and mussels)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fish or chicken stock
Topping & Garnish
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh lemon wedges for garnish
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease individual cassolette dishes or a large baking dish to prevent sticking during baking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant, which builds the base flavor for the sauce.
- Cook Seafood: Add the mixed seafood to the skillet and cook briefly for 2-3 minutes until they just begin to cook through. Remove the seafood and set aside carefully to avoid overcooking.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in the dry white wine into the same skillet, cooking for 2-3 minutes while scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pan to incorporate all flavors.
- Make Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and fish or chicken stock. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly and thicken.
- Combine Seafood and Sauce: Return the partially cooked seafood to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and stir gently to evenly coat the seafood with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble Cassolette: Spoon the seafood and sauce mixture evenly into the prepared cassolette dishes. Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs to create a golden crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the dishes in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops are golden and bubbly, indicating the seafood is fully cooked and the topping is crisp.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately for best flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use fresh or thawed seafood to ensure the best texture and flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute the fish or chicken stock with vegetable stock for a slightly different taste.
- For added crunch, mix some melted butter with the breadcrumbs before topping.
- The dish can be prepared in individual casseroles or one large baking dish depending on serving needs.
- Serve with crusty bread or a light salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: seafood cassolette, creamy seafood bake, baked seafood, shrimp scallop casserole, seafood gratin, easy seafood dish