This Shrimp Casserole with Ritz Crackers is the perfect food! It’s creamy, cheesy, and topped with a crunchy, Ritz cracker crust.
The casserole starts with tender shrimp mixed in a rich sauce made from cream of mushroom or celery soup. Cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and paprika give it a flavor.
What makes this dish extra special is the Ritz cracker topping. The crackers are crushed, mixed with melted butter, and sprinkled on top, adding a delicious crunchy layer. You can even add Parmesan for more flavor!
Serve this dish for a dinner or bring it to a gathering—it’s sure to be a hit. Add diced bell peppers or onions for extra color and taste, and garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon to brighten up each bite.
It’s a simple meal that’s perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
- Shrimp (peeled, deveined, and tails removed)
- Cooked rice
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Condensed cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup (undiluted)
- Diced bell pepper (green or red)
- Diced onion
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Ritz crackers (crushed)
- Melted butter
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
How To Make Shrimp Casserole with Ritz Crackers
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shrimp, cooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, diced bell pepper, onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in the cheddar cheese until everything is evenly mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle the buttery cracker topping evenly over the shrimp mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the shrimp are pink, the casserole is bubbling, and the topping is golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
Expert Tips:
Use fresh or frozen shrimp: If using frozen shrimp, thaw them completely and pat them dry to prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
Don’t overcook the shrimp: Keep an eye on the casserole in the last few minutes of baking to avoid rubbery shrimp.
Add vegetables: You can enhance the flavor and nutrition by adding veggies like steamed broccoli, frozen peas, or sautéed mushrooms.
Customize the seasoning: Feel free to add herbs like thyme, basil, or Old Bay seasoning for a different flavor profile.
Double the recipe: For a larger crowd, double the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch baking dish
Enjoy this easy shrimp casserole as a weeknight meal or a potluck favorite!
More Recipes
Easy Shrimp Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp peeled, deveined, and tails removed (medium size, 41-50 count)
- 1 cup cooked rice optional but adds texture and volume
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can 10.5 oz condensed cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup (undiluted)
- ½ cup diced bell pepper green or red for added color
- ½ cup diced onion frozen pre-diced onion works well
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese optional for extra flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shrimp, cooked rice, cream of mushroom soup, diced bell pepper, onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Mix in the shredded cheddar until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly for a uniform layer.
- In a small bowl, mix the crushed Ritz crackers with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle the buttery cracker topping evenly over the shrimp mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until the shrimp are pink, the casserole is bubbling, and the topping is golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.