new_englandMediumnon vegetariannut free
Lobster Casserole
RATING
4.6/5(95)
TASTE SCORE
9/10
Tender chunks of lobster baked in a rich, creamy sherry sauce and topped with a buttery cracker crust. A decadent New England classic that's perfect for special occasions but surprisingly easy to make.
SERVINGS
4
INGREDIENTS
For 4 servings
NUTRITION · PER SERVING
630
630
CALORIES · 1.5 CUPS
Protein25g · 16%
Carbs24g · 15%
Fat47g · 67%
Fiber1g
Sodium1381mg
Potassium405mg
Phosphorus296mg
INSTRUCTIONS
6 steps. 10 minutes total.
6 STEPS
- 1
Step 1
- a.Prepare for baking
- b.Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- c.Lightly butter a 1.5-quart casserole dish.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Make the cracker topping
- b.In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
- c.Add the crushed crackers and paprika, and toss until the crumbs are evenly coated. Set aside.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Start the creamy sauce
- b.In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- c.Add the minced shallot and garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- d.Sprinkle the flour over the shallots and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to make a roux.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Finish the sauce and add lobster
- b.Slowly whisk in the dry sherry, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
- c.Gradually whisk in the heavy cream until the sauce is smooth.
- d.Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until it has thickened slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- e.Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- f.Gently fold in the chopped lobster meat until it's coated in the sauce.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Assemble and bake the casserole
- b.Pour the lobster mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
- c.Sprinkle the buttered cracker topping over the surface.
- d.Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- 6
Step 6
- a.Rest and serve
- b.Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- c.Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
PRO TIPS
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the best flavor, use freshly cooked lobster meat if possible, but high-quality frozen meat works well too.
- 2Don't use 'cooking sherry' which is high in sodium. A dry sherry like Fino or Manzanilla is best.
- 3Be gentle when folding in the lobster meat to keep the chunks intact.
- 4The casserole can be assembled a few hours ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate, then add about 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
- 5Serve with lemon wedges on the side and a simple green salad to balance the richness.
RECIPE VARIATIONS
Adapt it for your goals.
gluten free
Gluten free
Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the sauce and replace the Ritz crackers with your favorite gluten-free crackers.
budget friendlyBudget friendly
To make the dish more economical, use a combination of lobster meat and cooked shrimp or imitation crab meat.
quickQuick
Use pre-cooked and chopped lobster meat, which is often available at seafood counters, to save on prep time.
high proteinHigh protein
Add 1/2 cup of cooked shrimp or scallops along with the lobster meat to increase the protein content.
PAIRS WELL WITH
