Gourmet Seafood Cassolette

Highlighted under: Global Flavors

Delight in the rich and creamy flavors of this Gourmet Seafood Cassolette, a luxurious dish perfect for special occasions or a cozy dinner at home.

Lucy Bennett

Created by

Lucy Bennett

Last updated on 2025-12-18T13:19:21.408Z

This Gourmet Seafood Cassolette is a celebration of flavors and textures, featuring a medley of fresh seafood enveloped in a creamy sauce and topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust. Ideal for impressing guests or treating yourself, it's a dish that brings the taste of the ocean right to your table.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Rich and creamy seafood flavor in every bite
  • Elegant presentation that wow your guests
  • A perfect balance of textures with a crispy topping

The Essence of Gourmet Seafood Cassolette

Gourmet Seafood Cassolette is a dish that embodies the essence of luxury dining, making it a perfect choice for special occasions or intimate gatherings. The combination of fresh seafood enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce creates a symphony of flavors that tantalize the taste buds. Each bite offers a delightful balance of textures, from the tender seafood to the crunchy breadcrumb topping, ensuring a memorable dining experience.

This recipe draws inspiration from classic French cuisine, where seafood is often celebrated for its delicate flavors and versatility. The use of high-quality ingredients, including fresh shrimp, scallops, and white fish, elevates the dish further, making it suitable for a celebratory feast or a cozy dinner at home. The creamy sauce, infused with aromatic herbs, complements the seafood beautifully, making every mouthful a luxurious treat.

Perfect Pairings for Your Cassolette

When serving your Gourmet Seafood Cassolette, consider pairing it with a crisp, chilled white wine such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay. These wines enhance the flavors of the seafood while providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of the dish. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette can also complement the meal, adding a refreshing balance to the decadent cassolette.

For a more indulgent experience, serve the cassolette with a side of garlic bread or a crusty baguette. These options are perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce, ensuring that none of the delicious flavors go to waste. Additionally, a light seafood pasta or seasonal vegetables can round out the meal, creating a well-balanced dining experience for your guests.

Tips for Success

To achieve the best results with your Gourmet Seafood Cassolette, ensure that your seafood is as fresh as possible. If you have access to a local fish market, that’s the ideal place to find high-quality ingredients. If you must use frozen seafood, ensure that it is fully thawed and patted dry to prevent excess moisture from diluting the sauce.

Be mindful when seasoning your seafood and sauce. Since fish stock and Parmesan cheese can be naturally salty, taste your mixture before adding extra salt. This step will help you achieve the perfect flavor balance. Additionally, for an extra touch of elegance, you can enhance the dish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like tarragon or dill before serving, elevating both the flavor and presentation of your cassolette.

Ingredients

Seafood Mixture

  • 200g shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 200g scallops
  • 200g white fish fillets, cubed
  • 100g mussels, cleaned

Sauce and Topping

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup fish stock
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Mix and match your favorite seafood to personalize this dish!

Instructions

Prepare the Seafood

In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, scallops, fish fillets, and mussels. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Make the Sauce

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent. Stir in the fish stock and bring to a simmer.

Add the heavy cream and let it reduce for about 5 minutes. Mix in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

Combine and Bake

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). In a baking dish, combine the seafood mixture with the sauce. Top with breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Enjoy your gourmet creation!

Pair with a crisp white wine for a delightful dining experience.

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftovers, store your Gourmet Seafood Cassolette in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To maintain the best flavor and texture, it’s advisable to reheat the cassolette gently in the oven rather than the microwave. Cover it with foil to prevent it from drying out, and heat it at 180°C (350°F) until warmed through.

While the cassolette is best enjoyed fresh, you can also freeze it before baking. Prepare the dish up to the point of baking, cover it tightly, and freeze for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed. This method allows you to have a gourmet meal ready to go whenever you desire!

Why It’s a Family Favorite

The Gourmet Seafood Cassolette is not just a dish for special occasions; it can easily become a family favorite with its comforting flavors and satisfying textures. Children and adults alike will appreciate the creamy sauce and tender seafood, making it a delightful way to introduce a variety of seafood into their diets.

Moreover, the dish can be customized to suit your family’s preferences. Feel free to swap out the seafood for your favorites or add vegetables for an extra nutritional boost. This versatility makes the cassolette a go-to dish that can adapt to different tastes and occasions, ensuring it will be a staple in your recipe repertoire.

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I use frozen seafood?

Yes, frozen seafood can be used, but ensure it is fully thawed and drained before adding to the dish.

→ What can I substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative like coconut cream for a lighter version.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven.

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the seafood and sauce ahead of time, then assemble and bake when ready to serve.

Gourmet Seafood Cassolette

Delight in the rich and creamy flavors of this Gourmet Seafood Cassolette, a luxurious dish perfect for special occasions or a cozy dinner at home.

Prep Time30 minutes
Cooking Duration20 minutes
Overall Time50 minutes

Created by: Lucy Bennett

Recipe Type: Global Flavors

Skill Level: Intermediate

Final Quantity: 4 servings

What You'll Need

Seafood Mixture

  1. 200g shrimp, peeled and deveined
  2. 200g scallops
  3. 200g white fish fillets, cubed
  4. 100g mussels, cleaned

Sauce and Topping

  1. 2 tablespoons butter
  2. 1 small onion, finely chopped
  3. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  4. 1 cup heavy cream
  5. 1 cup fish stock
  6. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  7. 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  8. Salt and pepper to taste
  9. Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

How-To Steps

Step 01

In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, scallops, fish fillets, and mussels. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

Step 02

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until translucent. Stir in the fish stock and bring to a simmer. Add the heavy cream and let it reduce for about 5 minutes. Mix in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

Step 03

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). In a baking dish, combine the seafood mixture with the sauce. Top with breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 04

Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. Enjoy your gourmet creation!

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Total Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 18g
  • Cholesterol: 210mg
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Total Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 2g
  • Protein: 25g