Description
This comforting Shrimp Casserole features a creamy cheddar cheese sauce with green peas, layered over a bed of rice mixed with sautéed onions and mushrooms, then baked to bubbly perfection and topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. A perfect family-friendly dish that combines tender shrimp with savory vegetables in a rich, cheesy casserole.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice Mixture
- 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 Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Grease a 9×13 baking pan and set aside to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cook Rice: Cook the rice according to package instructions until tender and fluffy, then set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter and fry the chopped onions and sliced mushrooms over medium heat until they become soft and cooked through. Stir in the cooked rice, mixing the vegetables and rice completely. 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. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 2 minutes to release its fragrant aroma without browning.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and cook, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes, until the mixture smells nutty and lightly browned, similar to baked pie crust.
- Incorporate Milk: Gradually pour the milk into the flour mixture while whisking rapidly to prevent lumps from forming, creating a smooth sauce base.
- Thicken Sauce: Continue cooking the sauce, stirring frequently for 5 to 6 minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in the shredded 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Mix in the green peas and cook until tender, then fold in the cooked shrimp and remove from heat.
- Combine and Transfer: Pour the cheese sauce with shrimp and peas over the rice and vegetable mixture in the bowl. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly. Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake and Add Topping: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the dish is bubbling around the edges. Remove from oven, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese evenly on top, and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes to set before serving. Enjoy your warm, cheesy shrimp casserole!
Notes
- Adjust the seasonings to your liking to tailor the dish to your taste preferences.
- You can add in cooked vegetables of your choice such as bell peppers, zucchini, or broccoli for extra flavor and nutrition.
- This recipe is a great way to use up leftover cooked rice; be sure to measure about 4 1/2 cups cooked rice for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
