
Nothing says you’re treating yourself like a big pan of seafood lasagna—it’s the kind of dinner that instantly feels fancy. From the cheesy sauce to soft noodles and juicy crab and shrimp, it’s loaded with taste in every bite. Even a lazy weeknight feels special with a plate of this creamy, seafood-packed goodness.
The first time I whipped this up was for my dad’s birthday since he’s obsessed with pasta and anything from the ocean. He swore it tasted just like a splurge dinner out. Now it’s our go-to for any excuse we can think of.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Breadcrumbs: Bring a crispy baked topping—either panko or more classic styles work
- Red pepper flakes: Just a bit gives a gentle heat Kids eating? Sprinkle just a little
- Salt and black pepper: Sprinkle to taste—fresh pepper gives the biggest punch
- Fresh parsley: Choose bright leaves for a fresh finishing touch
- Olive oil: Great for sautéing your seafood—pick extra-virgin for best flavor
- Garlic: Mince fresh cloves for heaps of savory flavor
- Heavy cream: Makes your cheese mix super rich—get the full-fat kind
- Alfredo sauce: Pick a good jarred brand or DIY it This stuff holds all your layers together
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated gives the sharpest flavor
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts and gets all stringy—grab a block to shred yourself
- Ricotta cheese: Rich and creamy when you use whole milk ricotta
- Crab meat: Lump crab gives the best bite—don’t use imitation if you can help it
- Shrimp: Fresh or frozen! Just peel and devein for a better bite
- Lasagna noodles: Wide, ridged noodles hold up to all that sauce
Simple Step-by-Step Directions
- Rest and Serve:
- Don’t skip letting your baked lasagna hang out for about 10 minutes so everything settles. Slice up, toss on more parsley, and dig in.
- Top and Bake:
- Once you’ve built the layers, scatter the last of your mozzarella and parmesan on top. Add breadcrumbs for crunch. Cover the dish in foil and bake at 375 for around 25 minutes. Ditch the foil, finish for another 15 until it’s bubbly and golden brown.
- Layer the Lasagna:
- Add Alfredo to the baking dish, then start your layers—noodles, a big scoop of the cheese mix, then seafood, drizzle of sauce. Keep going for three layers. Finish with more sauce. Every noodle should be swimming in sauce so it stays tender.
- Mix the Cheeses:
- Grab a bowl and stir together ricotta, one cup of mozzarella, half a cup of parmesan, all the heavy cream, plus your chopped parsley. Stir till it’s smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, splash in a bit more cream so it’s scoopable.
- Cook the Seafood:
- Warm up that olive oil in a big pan over medium. Throw in your garlic, sauté for a minute till it smells amazing. Toss in the shrimp and cook till just pink—don’t overdo it or they’ll get tough. Mix in the crab, a little salt, maybe some red pepper flakes, 2 more minutes then take it off the stove right away.
- Prepare the Pasta:
- Boil noodles in salty water till they’re perfectly al dente. Drain and lay them out flat so they don’t stick. Overcooked noodles just turn mushy, so keep an eye on them.

I’m all about those crispy, cheesy edges. My grandma would sneak more parmesan into the corners so every piece had a little extra crunch. Now I do the same and it’s everyone’s favorite part at my house.
Storing Leftovers
Pop any extra lasagna in the fridge—it keeps fine for two days. Cover it tight so the pasta doesn’t get hard. To reheat, splash a little cream over each piece and warm it up in your oven or microwave so it comes back rich and creamy. Need to freeze? Chill it first, wrap well in foil, and it’ll last up to a month.
Swap Options
No crab? Pile in more shrimp or even toss in scallops for a fun switch-up. Cottage cheese works if you’re fresh out of ricotta, but it’ll be less thick. Homemade Alfredo (just butter, cream, parmesan) takes it up a notch. Not into breadcrumbs? Cover the top with extra parmesan for a crust instead.
How to Serve
This dish loves a side of leafy salad finished with tangy lemon dressing to lighten things up. Try it next to some steamed asparagus or broccolini, too. And don’t be shy—garlic bread is perfect for cleaning your plate. Want to keep it light? Pour a chilled white wine, something crisp like Pinot Grigio.

Background and Roots
While lasagna’s roots are in Italian home cooking, you’ll only spot seafood versions at festive feasts or along the coast. The American spin piles on cheese and rich sauces, but you still get that classic cozy vibe. Sharing a big, bubbly pasta is just a feel-good thing. With this one, dinner turns into a party.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I swap crab for imitation crab?
Sure, using imitation crab works as an alternative. It provides a similar mild seafood taste and mixes seamlessly with other toppings.
- → Why does my lasagna turn watery?
Make sure to fully drain any cooked seafood. After baking, let it rest for a bit to help the layers firm up and avoid excess liquid ruining the texture.
- → Can I make it ahead of time?
Yep, you can assemble it up to a day before. Just keep it covered in the fridge and bake it fresh when ready to eat.
- → What’s good to serve alongside it?
Try a light side like crisp salads, roasted veggies, or garlic bread. A citrusy salad is especially good for cutting through the richness.
- → Can leftovers be frozen?
Of course! Wrap cooled portions and freeze them for about two months. When you're ready, thaw in the fridge and warm up slowly before serving.