Shrimp & Rice Casserole 🍤🍚🔥 Creamy, Cheesy, and Packed With Juicy Shrimp and Southern-Spiced Flavor

This is weeknight comfort with weekend payoff — buttery rice baked with tender shrimp, garlic, sharp cheese, and just enough spice to keep things interesting. It’s rich without being heavy, deeply savory, and oven-finished for golden edges and cohesive flavor.

Perfect for potlucks, leftovers, or feeding a hungry crew with one hot dish.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the base

• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small bell pepper, diced (red or green)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp Cajun seasoning or Old Bay (plus more to taste)
• 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)

Liquids

• 2 cups chicken broth or seafood stock
• ½ cup milk or half-and-half
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for tang)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Seafood & mix-ins

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional, for umami)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley or green onion
• Optional: ½ cup frozen peas or corn

Topping

• ½ cup panko or crushed buttery crackers
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• Extra paprika or Cajun spice for dusting

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large oven-safe skillet or pot, heat oil or butter over medium. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic for 3–4 minutes until soft. Stir in paprika and Cajun seasoning and toast 30 seconds more.

Step 2: Add Rice and Liquids

Stir in the uncooked rice and toast for 1–2 minutes. Add broth, milk, mustard (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cover. Cook for 12–15 minutes, until rice is just shy of done (it will finish in the oven).

Step 3: Add Shrimp and Cheese

Remove from heat. Fold in shrimp, cheddar, Parmesan (if using), parsley, and peas or corn if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Transfer to a greased 9×13″ baking dish (or bake in the same skillet if oven-safe).

Step 4: Add Topping and Bake

Mix panko with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole. Dust with extra Cajun spice or paprika.

Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until hot, bubbly, and golden on top. Broil the last 2–3 minutes for extra crunch if needed. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.

Flavor Variations

• Add chopped andouille sausage for smoky, meaty depth
• Use brown rice — increase liquid and cooking time
• Make it spicy: fold in diced jalapeño or a spoon of chili crisp
• Swap cheese for Pepper Jack, Havarti, or gruyère
• Stir in spinach, zucchini, or chopped kale for greens

Pro Tips

• Use medium or large shrimp — smaller ones can overcook
• Don’t skip toasting the rice — it adds real depth
• Let the casserole rest before serving — it sets and thickens
• If reheating, add a splash of broth to keep it moist
• For meal prep, assemble fully and bake just before serving

Final Thoughts

Shrimp & Rice Casserole is creamy, crowd-pleasing, and layered with bold Southern flavor. It’s the kind of dish you serve from a hot baking dish with a big spoon — cozy, filling, and surprisingly refined for how easy it is to pull off.

Sauté it. Bake it. Scoop it hot. 🍤🍚🔥

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.