Description
This Shrimp and Mirliton Casserole is a comforting Cajun-inspired dish combining tender mirlitons, succulent shrimp, seasoned ground meat, and a medley of sautéed vegetables. The casserole is topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, baked to a golden, bubbling perfection. Perfect for a hearty meal serving eight, this recipe blends rich flavors and textures for a truly satisfying experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2½ lbs mirlitons (4–5 medium)
- 1 lb shrimp (51/60 size, bite-sized)
- 1 tsp liquid crab boil
- 1 lb seasoned ground meat (beef or chicken)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp vinegar-based hot sauce
- Cajun seasoning, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Bread Topping
- 4 cups French bread, cubed (stale or oven-dried)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Mirlitons: Boil whole mirlitons for 45–60 minutes until fork-tender. Once cooked, allow them to cool, then peel off the skin, remove the seeds and tough core, and chop the flesh into pieces.
- Cook Shrimp: Soak the shrimp briefly in water seasoned with liquid crab boil for added flavor. Next, sauté the shrimp in butter over medium heat until they just turn pink and are cooked through. Remove shrimp from heat and set aside.
- Cook Meat and Vegetables: In a large skillet, brown the seasoned ground meat until fully cooked. Add the diced yellow onion, green bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to the meat and cook together until the vegetables become soft and fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped mirlitons, cooked shrimp, the ground meat and vegetable mixture, cubed French bread, vinegar-based hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and evenly spread the combined mixture into the dish. Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese for a delicious crispy crust.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the casserole for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling hot.
Notes
- You can substitute the ground meat with either beef or chicken based on preference.
- Use stale or oven-dried French bread cubes to help absorb moisture without becoming soggy.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to control the heat level according to your taste.
- Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving to let it set for easier portioning.
- For an extra cheesy topping, add more Parmesan or a blend of cheddar cheeses before baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
