Get ready to savor my Seafood Gratin Bake, a restaurant-quality seafood delight made right in your kitchen! This dish combines succulent seafood, white wine, and a creamy sauce over tender rice, all crowned with golden-brown melted cheese. Say goodbye to complicated recipes – this one’s a breeze, using natural ingredients for a savory seafood-inspired dish!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
What sets my Seafood Gratin Bake apart is its unique twist on a classic Japanese-style gratin! I’ve taken the richness of a creamy bechamel sauce and paired it with a medley of succulent seafood and tender rice. The slow-cooked seafood, inspired by my trusted Mixed Seafood Pasta recipe, infuses every bite with briny goodness, while the melted cheese on top adds a touch of indulgence, reminiscent of my Chicken Gratin!
This dish isn’t reserved for special occasions; it’s a hearty and fulfilling meal perfect for both dinner and lunch. Imagine creamy, umami-packed seafood, complemented by a golden-brown cheese crust – it’s a restaurant-quality delight, made effortlessly at home with real, natural ingredients. If you’re eager for a taste of seafood perfection without the fuss, you absolutely must try this recipe!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Rice – rice of choice.
- Butter – salted or unsalted.
- Garlic – grated fresh garlic.
- Seafood Mix – frozen seafood mix found in the freezer section of most grocery stores.
- White Wine – dry white wine such as chardonnay or pinot grigio.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – heavy cream or heavy whipping cream.
- Grated Parmesan – use grated parmesan or a blend found in the self-stable section of supermarkets.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- Black Pepper – ground.
- Nutmeg – ground powder in a bottle.
- Gruyere Cheese – fresh and found at the cheese section of grocery stores. Can also other sharp cheese such as comte, fontina, or dubliner.
- Parsley – fresh chopped and used as a garnish.
🍚 Rice Note
It’s best to utilize Leftover Rice or Day-Old Cooked Rice. This type of rice readily absorbs the creamy sauce, enhancing the overall texture and flavor.
🧀 Cheese Note
When selecting cheese for this recipe, opt for a blend recognized for its exceptional melting characteristics. Gruyere, Mozzarella, Cheddar, or Provolone varieties are all excellent choices.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
Directions
☑ Before Getting Started
Before you start cooking, make sure to have a Large Skillet ready. This will provide enough space to reduce the seafood mix and cook the cream sauce effectively.
Step 1 In a medium-sized saucepan, combine seafood mix with white wine. Cook until the wine is evaporated, around 3-5 minutes, and transfer to a holding bow.
🦪 Extra Flavor Pro Tip
Consider incorporating a touch of Clam Juice for an added briny kick.
Step 2 Rinse the skillet with water and add butter with the rice of choice. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the rice is tender.
Step 3 Next stir in and whisk heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, grated garlic, nutmeg, and cooked seafood mix. Simmer until the cheese melts, around 3-4 minutes.
Step 4 Transfer the seafood bake mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle Gruyere cheese on top. Broil the mix for 4-6 minutes until the cheese on top is browned.
⚡ Shortcut Pro Tip
You can use the Microwave as a quick hack to Melt The Cheese, but for the finest texture and flavor, the oven is the recommended choice.
🌶️ Garnishing Pro Tip
For a restaurant-quality presentation, garnish with Fresh Chopped Parsley and a sprinkle of Red Pepper Flakes.
Recipe Variations
Transform this recipe by substituting the seafood mix with bacon and cauliflower rice to craft a Bacon Cauliflower Gratin dish. This variation delivers a savory and satisfying twist, with the rich bacon flavor blending seamlessly with the creamy cauliflower rice, all crowned with luscious melted cheese.
Pairing Recommendations
Enhance your Seafood Gratin Bake with a side of green salad dressed in Ginger Salad Dressing or a Broccoli Caesar Salad. These salads provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy gratin, with the zesty dressings adding a burst of flavor. For a comforting pairing, opt for a simple soup like Clam Miso Soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cheese works best for the gratin topping?
For the gratin topping, it's recommended to use cheeses like Gruyere, mozzarella, cheddar, or provolone.
Can I prepare seafood gratin in advance and reheat it later?
While it's possible to prepare in advance, the best results are achieved when it's served right after the cheese has melted. To enjoy it at its finest, we recommend preparing the recipe ahead of time and melting the cheese just before serving for that perfect, gooey topping.
Can I use a different type of rice, like brown rice?
Yes, you have the flexibility to use the type of rice you prefer. Whether it's white rice, brown rice, or another variety, feel free to choose the rice that suits your taste and dietary preferences.
Can I substitute any seafood in this dish?
Absolutely, you can explore various seafood options to suit your taste. However, shellfish like clams, shrimp, or mussels work particularly well in this dish.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where they’ll hold for 3-5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply warm them up in the microwave.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Dynamite Seafood Shrimp
- Tomato Garlic Baked Cod
- Baked Salmon with Parmesan Crust
- Cajun Shrimp Boil – Boiling Crab Copycat
Watch How To Make It
Seafood Gratin Bake
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Rice rice of choice
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 Clove Garlic
- 1 Cup Seafood Mix
- 1/4 Cup White Wine
- 1/4 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
- 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
- 1/4 Cup Shredded Gruyere Cheese or Mozzarella
- 1 Stalk Parsley
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Preheat oven to broil 500F.
- Grate garlic with a grater or mince and set aside.
- In a frying pan, add frozen seafood mix (does not need to defrost) and white wine. Cook for 3-5 minutes on high heat until most of the liquid is reduced. Transfer to holding bowl once done.
- Using the same frying pan, melt butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, stir in the rice and cook until tender, approximately 3 minutes.
- After 3 minutes, stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, grated garlic, nutmeg and cooked seafood mix. Cook for 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted and mixed in thoroughly.
- Transfer cooked rice into a baking dish packing in tightly and sprinkle shredded Gruyere cheese on top ensuring everything is covered. Transfer to oven and bake for 4-6 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Nutrition
Made this today. Was delicious! TY
You’re welcome and so glad you liked the recipe!
Awesome Thanks
You’re welcome!
I just made this recipe and thought I would pass along an easier way to make it.
I used riced cauliflower and steamed it in the bag then added softened butter, raw chopped shrimp, because thats what I had, and the rest of the ingredients into one bowl. I then mixed it and put it into a greased pie plate and baked it @325 for about 30-40 minutes. It came out perfectly with way fewer steps. Delicious.
I am so happy to have found your site. I have found the recipes easy to follow and they are delicious and actually turn out like the pictures! This week I have also made Green Sauce and Meatball Dango Soup, to which I added red pepper flakes, and I am waiting for the Soy Paper from Amazon to try the Bite Size Egg Rolls.
I love to cook and eating low carb works well for me. Your website is a refreshing change from so many low carb sites. Thank you. Carrie
Hey Carrie! The reason we cooked it this way is that the frozen seafood, white wine and frozen cauliflower all have moisture that needs to be evaporated via pan frying. Otherwise, the gratin will end up like a soup on the bottom!
However, if you just use shrimp like you mentioned, you probably could get away with throwing everything together and baking it.
Glad you found LCA and thanks for your kinds words! Means a lot to us!