Description
This Shrimp Casserole is a comforting, cheesy dish combining tender shrimp, sautéed onions and mushrooms, white rice, and a flavorful sharp Cheddar cheese sauce with green peas. Baked until bubbly and topped with melted cheese, it’s a perfect family-friendly meal that’s both hearty and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice (about 4 1/2 cups cooked rice)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 pound white mushrooms, washed and sliced
Cheese Sauce with Green Peas
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, add more to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper, or more to taste
- 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
- 1 pound cooked shrimp, deveined and shelled
Topping
- 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan thoroughly and set it aside for later use.
- Cook Rice: Cook the rice according to the package instructions until fluffy and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter and sauté the chopped onions and sliced mushrooms over medium heat until they are soft and cooked through. Stir in the cooked rice and mix thoroughly, then remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a large bowl.
- Start Cheese Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup butter and add the minced garlic, cooking gently for about 2 minutes to infuse the flavor.
- Make Roux: Add the flour to the butter and garlic, and cook for about 2 minutes while stirring continuously until it develops a slightly browned scent, similar to baked pie crust.
- Add Milk: Slowly pour in the milk while whisking rapidly to prevent lumps, combining the mixture smoothly.
- Thicken Sauce: Continue to cook the sauce while stirring for 5-6 minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese melts completely. Adjust seasoning to your taste. Add the green peas and cook in the sauce until they are tender, then stir in the cooked shrimp and remove the sauce from heat.
- Combine and Bake: Pour the cheese sauce over the rice and vegetable mixture, stirring thoroughly to combine. Transfer this mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading evenly.
- Baking and Topping: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly. Remove from oven, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then return to the oven for another 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors settle and makes it easier to portion.
Notes
- Adjust the seasonings according to your preference to enhance the flavor of this dish.
- You can add other cooked vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or carrots to this casserole to make it even more nutritious and colorful.
- This recipe is a great way to use up leftover rice; ensure you have about 4 1/2 cups cooked rice ready for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
