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Easy Baked Scallop Casserole With Ritz Crackers

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This Easy Baked Scallop Casserole is simply incredible! 


Living in Florida and a lover of seafood, I’m always on the lookout for new recipes for all varieties of seafood. 

I have to say that this scallops recipe is a new favorite go to and it is one of the easiest ways to make scallops!

Baked in a white wine sauce made up of cheese, fresh lemon juice, garlic, shallots, savory seasonings and, topped with a buttery cracker crumb, this is such a delicious casserole!

Baked Scallop Casserole

There is a white plate with baked scallops with a cracker crumb topping laying on a bed of angel hair pasta. There are stalks of asparagus on the plate. There is a gray cloth napkin in the background. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Why To Love Easy Baked Scallop Casserole With Ritz Crackers

  • Simple Ingredients: Apart from the scallops, you probably have all the ingredients on hand. 
  • Simple Recipe: Step by step instructions and ready to bake in 10 minutes! 
  • Versatile: This delicious dish can be served as a side dish at your next dinner party or a quick go-to meal for busy weeknight dinners.

So for all of you seafood lovers, trust me when I say this easy seafood casserole recipe is a must try! 

There are multiple scallops laying in a round casserole dish with a white sauce mixture and light brown cracker crumbs sprinkled over the entire top pf the dish. The dish is on a white marbled surface.

This is a great recipe for date night or one of the Seven Fishes dishes for Christmas Eve!

Another great seafood casserole to make for your next family dinner is The Best New England Baked Seafood Casserole Recipe. Super delicious with succulent shrimp, sea scallops, chunks of flounder, and lump crab meat which makes every bite full of flavor and seafood! 

Bake Scallop Casserole Ingredients

There is a large white bowl of large raw scallops. There are four small white bowls. One has grated parmesan cheese, one has chopped onion, one has white wine, and one has cream cheese in it. There is a small round white plate with some spices and 2 cloves of garlic on it. There is a whole lemon, sprigs of tarragon, a stick of butter, and a clear sleeve of round light brown crackers. All the items are on a white marbled surface.

Simple Ingredients

  • Sea scallops
  • White wine
  • Cream cheese
  • Garlic 
  • Shallots
  • Lemon juice
  • Ground black pepper
  • Pinch of salt
  • Fresh tarragon
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Melted butter 
  • Buttery crackers
  • Fresh chopped parsley (optional garnish)
  • Cooking spray

Helpful Equipment and Kitchen Tools

  • Shallow casserole dish
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula / large spoon
  • Small bowl to melt butter
  • Cutting board
  • Large kitchen knife
  • Hand juicer
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Paper towels
  • Oven mitts 
There are multiple scallops laying in a small white oval casserole dish with a white sauce mixture and light brown cracker crumbs sprinkled over the entire top pf the dish. There is a gray cloth napkin in the background. Items are on a white marbled surface.

How To Make Easy Baked Scallop Casserole With Ritz Crackers

There are multiple raw scallops laying in a round casserole dish. The dish is on a white marbled surface.

Step-By-Step

  • Preheat oven.
  • Rinse and pat dry the wet scallops with a paper towel. 
  • Place scallops in a prepared baking dish and set aside.
There is a small white plate with minced garlic and chopped green tarragon leaves on it. There is a small white bowl with chopped up shallots (onions) in it. There is a lemon cut in half. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • Prep the shallot and garlic.
There is a large white bowl with a clear liquid and spices in it. There are three small bowls. One bowl has shredded cheese in it, one has chopped shallots (onions) in it, and one has white cream cheese in it. There is a small white plate with minced garlic and finely chopped green tarragon leaves on it. There is a lemon cut in half. There is a wire whisk and a yellow handheld juicer. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • In a large bowl, add the wine, salt, black pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper (if using).
There is a large white bowl with a clear liquid, spices, shredded cheese, and cream cheese in it. There is a wire whisk resting in the bowl. There is a small bowl with chopped shallots (onions) in it. There is a small white plate with minced garlic and finely chopped green tarragon leaves on it. There is a lemon cut in half. There is a yellow handheld juicer. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Next add the cream cheese, minced garlic, shallots, parmesan cheese, tarragon, and squeeze of lemon.

There is a large white bowl with a sauce mixture of wine, lemon juice, chopped shallots, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and seasonings. There is a gray rubber spatula resting in the bowl. The bowl is on a white marbled surface.
  • Throughly mix together.
There are multiple raw scallops laying in a round casserole dish with a white sauce mixture poured over the top of the scallops. The dish is on a white marbled surface.
  • Pour the cream sauce over the dish of scallops.
There is a clear sealed plastic bag with light brown cracker crumbs in it. There is a small white bowl with melted butter in it. Items are on a white marbled surface.
  • Melt butter in a small microwave safe bowl.
  • Smash crackers in a zip top bag until they are crumbs.
There are multiple raw scallops laying in a round casserole dish with a white sauce mixture and light brown cracker crumbs sprinkled over the entire top pf the dish. The dish is on a white marbled surface.
  • Sprinkle the cracker crumb mixture over the entire top of the scallop dish. 
  • Drizzle the melted butter over the breadcrumb topping.
There are multiple scallops laying in a round casserole dish with a white sauce mixture and light brown cracker crumbs sprinkled over the entire top pf the dish. The dish is on a white marbled surface.
  • Bake scallops in oven until they are firm and the buttery cracker topping is golden brown. 
  • Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top just before serving. (optional)

Complete recipe details can be found in the recipe card below.

Recipe Substitutions / Variations

White wine: Chicken broth or vegetable stock are good alternatives.

Shallots: A mild onion finely chopped can be used.

Buttery crackers: Panko breadcrumbs are a great option.

​Fresh minced garlic: You can use garlic powder if you prefer.

Close up photo of multiple scallops laying in a round casserole dish with a white sauce mixture and light brown cracker crumbs sprinkled over the entire top pf the dish. The dish is on a white marbled surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do You Serve With Baked Scallops? 

There are many wonderful side dishes to serve with baked scallops. Roasted Brussels sprouts, crusty bread, garlic bread, grilled asparagus, rice pilaf, or pasta to name just a few.

Are Frozen Scallops As Good As Fresh Scallops?

Frozen scallops will have the same delicious taste and texture as fresh scallops if they are prepared well. 
Thaw scallops in the refrigerator, rinse, and pat dry before using.

What Is The Difference Between Bay Scallops And Sea Scallops?

The main difference between bay scallops and sea scallops is that sea scallops are found in deeper waters than bay scallops.

Bay scallops are much smaller in size and tend to be sweeter than sea scallops.

More Of My Favorite Casseroles

Yield: 4 servings

Easy Baked Scallop Casserole With Ritz Crackers

There is a white plate with baked scallops with a cracker crumb topping laying on a bed of angel hair pasta. There are stalks of asparagus on the plate. There is a gray cloth napkin in the background. Items are on a white marbled surface.

Baked in a white wine sauce made up of cheese, fresh lemon juice, garlic, shallots, savory seasonings and topped with a buttery cracker crumb, this is such a delicious casserole! It is one of the easiest ways to make scallops.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds larger sea scallops
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese (4 tablespoons softened)
  • 2 fresh garlic cloves (1 teaspoon minced)
  • 1 small shallot (approximately 1/4 cup finely chopped)
  • 1 lemon (juiced)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter (4 tbsp of butter melted)
  • 1 sleeve buttery crackers (approximately 20 crackers crumbled)
  • Fresh chopped parsley (optional garnish)
  • Cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Finely chop the shallot.
  3. Mince the garlic.
  4. Grease a baking dish lightly with butter or cooking spray.
  5. Rinse and pat dry the wet scallops with a paper towel. This is the best way to remove any excess moisture.
  6. Place the dry sea scallops in the baking dish and set aside.
  7. In a large bowl, add the wine, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using).
  8. Next add the cream cheese, minced garlic, shallots, parmesan cheese, tarragon, and the juice of a lemon. 
  9. Throughly whisk together.
  10. Pour the cheese sauce over the dish of scallops.
  11. Melt 4 tbsp butter in a small microwave safe bowl.
  12. Place the crackers in a zip sealed bag and smash them with the palm of your hand making them cracker crumbs.
  13. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the entire top of the scallop dish. 
  14. Drizzle the mixture of butter over the crumb topping.
  15. Bake scallops in oven until they are firm and the buttery cracker topping is golden brown. Approximately 20 minutes.
  16. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top just before serving. (optional)

Notes

Helpful Equipment and Kitchen Tools

  • Shallow casserole dish
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula / large spoon
  • Small bowl to melt butter
  • Cutting board
  • Large kitchen knife
  • Hand juicer
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Paper towels
  • Oven mitts 

Recipe Substitutions / Variations

White wine: Chicken broth or vegetable stock are good alternatives.

Shallots: A mild onion finely chopped can be used.

Buttery crackers: Panko breadcrumbs are a great option.

Fresh minced garlic: You can use garlic powder if you prefer.

Did you make this recipe?

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© Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen
Cuisine: American / Category: Casseroles

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