Creamy Baked Shrimp & Spinach Alfredo Casserole 

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A luxurious, comforting oven dish with tender shrimp, velvety Alfredo sauce, melted cheese, and spinach.

If you love creamy pasta-style flavors but want something easier to assemble, this baked shrimp and spinach casserole is perfect. It combines a homemade Alfredo-like sauce, juicy shrimp, fresh spinach, and bubbling cheese. The final dish is elegant enough for a dinner party yet simple enough for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

For the Shrimp

  • 500 g (1 lb) medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder

For the Creamy Sauce

  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups milk (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional but traditional for Alfredo)

Other Components

  • 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
  • 1 cup extra mozzarella for topping
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp

Shrimp cook very quickly, so you do NOT fully cook them before baking. A light seasoning gives them flavor without overcooking.

  1. Place shrimp in a bowl.
  2. Drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Add paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  4. Toss to coat.
  5. Set aside.

You only need to sauté shrimp for 30–40 seconds per side if you want a little color before baking, but leaving them raw is perfectly fine because they will cook fully in the oven.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Alfredo Sauce

This sauce is the soul of the dish — rich, silky, and infused with garlic. It needs to be thick enough to hold the shrimp and spinach without becoming watery.

  1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  3. Add flour and whisk to create a smooth paste (a roux). Cook 1 minute.
  4. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
  5. Add the heavy cream and continue whisking.
  6. Let it simmer gently 3–5 minutes until thickened.

When the sauce coats the back of a spoon, it’s ready.

  1. Add grated Parmesan and 1 cup mozzarella, stirring until melted.
  2. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Taste it: it should be rich, creamy, and slightly garlicky.

Step 3: Assemble the Spinach Layer

Your image clearly shows wilted spinach baked directly into the sauce. You have two options:

Option A — Fresh Spinach

Add fresh spinach leaves directly into the casserole. They will wilt naturally in the heat of the sauce.

Option B — Sautéed Spinach

If you prefer softer spinach:

  1. Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan.
  2. Add spinach and cook for 1 minute until wilted.
  3. Remove excess moisture.

Either method works. The formula is simple: spinach + creamy sauce = perfection.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Prepare a medium-sized baking dish.

  1. Pour the creamy Alfredo sauce into the dish.
  2. Add spinach leaves, spreading them around evenly.
  3. Gently place the seasoned shrimp on top, arranging them like in the photo.
    • Press each one lightly into the sauce so it bakes in but stays visible.
  5. Sprinkle extra mozzarella on top (1 cup).

At this point, everything should resemble your picture — shrimp evenly spaced, spinach peeking through, creamy white sauce underneath.

Step 5: Bake

Bake in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 20–25 minutes, or until:

  • The edges bubble
  • The cheese on top is melted
  • Shrimp are pink and cooked through
  • There are small golden spots across the surface

Do NOT overbake — shrimp become rubbery if cooked too long. Remove the dish as soon as the shrimp turn opaque pink.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once out of the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley for color and freshness.

Serve hot with:

  • Fresh crusty bread
  • Steamed rice
  • Garlic mashed potatoes
  • Pasta
  • A simple salad

This dish is rich, so simpler sides work best.

Flavor Enhancements & Variations

1. Add Pasta

Turn it into a full pasta bake:

  • Mix cooked fettuccine or penne directly into the sauce before adding shrimp.
  • Top with mozzarella and bake.

2. Add a Crispy Topping

Mix:

  • ½ cup panko
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • ¼ cup Parmesan

Sprinkle on top before baking for crunch.

3. Add More Vegetables

Great additions include:

  • Mushrooms
  • Broccoli florets
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Asparagus pieces

Just sauté lightly before adding.

4. Add Heat

If you like spicy food:

  • Chili flakes
  • Cajun seasoning
  • A bit of sriracha

Shrimp and cream pair beautifully with spice.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

Keeps 2–3 days.

Reheat at low heat in the oven to avoid overcooking shrimp.

Freezer

Not recommended for shrimp + cream dishes — the sauce can separate and shrimp can become mushy.

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