Dreamy Seafood Lasagna Recipe: Ina Garten’s Novice-Friendly Gem

Seafood lovers rejoice in this delectable Ina Garten seafood lasagna recipe that promises an ocean of flavors in every bite.

Layers of tender shrimp, delicate scallops, and rich creamy sauce meld together to create a truly spectacular dish.

Each forkful delivers a luxurious blend of maritime ingredients that dance across your palate.

The recipe balances elegance with comfort, turning an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining experience.

Fresh seafood and aromatic herbs combine to craft a lasagna that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.

Skilled home cooks can easily master this impressive entrée that will surely spark conversation around the dinner table.

Get ready to dive into a seafood sensation that celebrates the best of coastal cuisine.

Quick Recipe Overview

All the Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Seafood Lasagna

• Crab: Sweet, delicate meat that adds luxurious oceanic flavor to the lasagna.
• Shrimp: Tender protein that brings a mild, slightly sweet taste and beautiful pink color.
• Scallops: Buttery, delicate seafood that provides a rich, elegant texture to the dish.
• Clam Juice: Enhances the seafood’s natural briny essence and deepens the overall maritime profile.

• Butter: Creates a rich, smooth foundation for the white sauce and adds depth of flavor.
• Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and provides a silky, consistent texture.
• Milk: Delivers a creamy, smooth base that binds the sauce together.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and a velvety mouthfeel to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces a sharp, salty note that complements the seafood perfectly.

• Onion: Provides a subtle sweetness and foundational flavor to the seafood mixture.
• Salt and Pepper: Balances and elevates the overall taste of the dish.
• Green Onions: Offers a fresh, light garnish that adds a pop of color and mild onion flavor.

Tools You’ll Need to Make Seafood Lasagna by Ina

• Large skillet: Perfect for sautéing onions and cooking seafood with precision.
• Large saucepan: Essential for creating the creamy white sauce smoothly.
• 13×9-inch baking dish: Ideal size for layering lasagna and ensuring even baking.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce ingredients without lumps.
• Sharp knife: Helpful for chopping onions and garnishing with green onions.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient portions.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients gently.

Follow These Steps to Layer Ina’s Seafood Lasagna

Ocean Dream Layers

• Seafood Preparation A magical blend of ocean treasures simmered gently in a fragrant broth, creating a rich foundation for the lasagna. Tender crab, succulent shrimp, and delicate scallops dance together in a light cooking liquid.
• Creamy White Sauce Silky smooth sauce transforms ordinary ingredients into a luxurious coating. Butter and flour create a velvety base, while milk and cream add irresistible richness that hugs each layer of the dish.
• Layering Magic Carefully arrange delicate pasta sheets alternating with seafood and creamy sauce. Each layer builds excitement, promising a mouthwatering experience that celebrates coastal flavors.
• Baking Transformation Place the assembled masterpiece into a warm oven, allowing ingredients to meld and create a golden, bubbling landscape of seafood deliciousness. The kitchen will fill with an incredible aroma that promises pure comfort.
• Finishing Touches After baking, let the lasagna rest and settle. Sprinkle with fresh green onions and extra Parmesan cheese, adding a final burst of color and flavor that elevates this ocean-inspired creation to something truly special.

Make It Your Own: Ideas to Tweak Ina’s Seafood Lasagna

• Easy Recipe Tweaks
• Replace crab, shrimp, or scallops with your favorite ocean catches like salmon, cod, or lobster for a personalized maritime adventure.
• Experiment with gruyère, fontina, or pecorino romano instead of parmesan to create rich, unexpected flavor profiles that elevate the entire dish.
• Assemble the lasagna a day before baking, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate to develop deeper, more intense seafood and sauce flavors.
• Substitute regular lasagna noodles with gluten-free alternatives or use zucchini slices for a lighter, low-carb version that doesn’t compromise on taste.
• Sprinkle fresh dill, chives, or parsley between layers to introduce bright, aromatic notes that complement the delicate seafood perfectly.

Serve Seafood Lasagna the Ina Garten Way

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Toss a crisp green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy seafood lasagna. The salad’s freshness cuts through the dish’s decadent texture.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Serve warm, crusty French or sourdough bread on the side to soak up the delicious white sauce and catch every last drop of flavor.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Choose a chilled Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the seafood’s delicate taste. These white wines harmonize beautifully with the creamy, oceanic notes of the lasagna.
• Elegant Dinner Presentation: Plate individual portions with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and extra herbal brightness. Garnish with lemon wedges to add a zesty citrus accent.

Save and Reheat Seafood Lasagna Without Losing Flavor

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover seafood lasagna in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, ensuring optimal taste and texture.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F, covering with foil to prevent drying out. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore moisture and prevent the dish from becoming tough.
• Serving Suggestion: Consume refrigerated lasagna within 3-4 days for the best quality, and always check for any signs of spoilage before reheating.

Elegant Seafood Lasagna Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s seafood lasagna combines rich layers of delicate shellfish with creamy béchamel sauce. Coastal flavors blend seamlessly, creating an elegant Italian-inspired dish perfect for special dinner gatherings where guests will savor each luxurious bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb bay scallops
• 1 lb uncooked shrimp (41–50 per lb), peeled and deveined
• 8 oz (226 g) imitation crabmeat, chopped
• 8 fl oz (237 ml) clam juice
• 1–½ cups (355 ml) 2% milk
• 1 cup (237 ml) heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup (50 g) shredded Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) plus ½ cup (118 ml) butter, divided
• ½ cup (118 ml) chicken broth
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) canola oil
• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• 1 green onion, finely chopped
• ¼ tsp white pepper
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Caramelize Aromatics: Sauté onions in a blend of oil and butter until translucent, then deglaze with clam juice and broth, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil.
2. Poach Seafood: Introduce crab, shrimp, scallops, and black pepper to the boiling liquid. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until seafood is perfectly cooked and shrimp turns a vibrant pink.
3. Develop Sauce Base: Strain seafood, reserving cooking liquid. In a separate saucepan, craft a silky roux by whisking flour into melted butter. Gradually stream in milk and reserved liquid, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Season with pepper and salt.
4. Create Creamy Sauce: Simmer the mixture over medium heat until it thickens and reaches a gentle boil. Remove from heat and incorporate heavy cream and grated cheese, creating a luxurious sauce.
5. Assemble Lasagna: Gently fold seafood into the white sauce. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a 13×9-inch baking dish by spreading a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. Layer lasagna noodles, seafood mixture, and sauce in an elegant, even manner.
6. Bake and Finish: Top with remaining cheese and bake uncovered until golden and bubbling, approximately 35-40 minutes. Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Optionally garnish with Parmesan and green onions before serving.

Notes

• Seafood Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality seafood like jumbo shrimp, lump crab meat, and sweet scallops for the most luxurious flavor profile.
• Liquid Gold Technique: Reserving cooking liquid intensifies the seafood’s natural briny essence, creating a more complex and rich sauce base.
• Roux Mastery: Whisk flour and butter slowly to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth white sauce that coats the seafood perfectly.
• Resting Period: Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes after baking to allow layers to set and flavors to meld, resulting in cleaner, more defined servings.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg