Easy Shrimp Casserole with Ritz Crackers

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
• Cooked Rice: Any type of cooked rice works, such as white, brown, or even jasmine rice. 
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Sharp or mild cheddar cheese adds a creamy, rich flavor to the dish. You can also experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby for variety.
• Condensed Cream Soup: Cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup (undiluted) forms the creamy sauce for the casserole. 
• Diced Bell Pepper and Onion: Green or red bell peppers add color, crunch, and sweetness.
• Seasonings: Worcestershire Sauce ,Garlic Powder, Paprika, Salt, and Pepper
• Ritz Crackers: Crushed crackers create a buttery, crunchy topping. They add texture and complement the creamy casserole base.
• Melted Butter: Mixed with the crushed crackers for a rich, golden topping.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional): Adds a nutty, salty flavor to the topping. While optional, it elevates the dish’s flavor.
• Optional Garnishes:
• Fresh Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous finish.
• Lemon Juice

How To Make Shrimp Casserole with Ritz Crackers

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• Mix Ingredients:
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the following:
     • Shrimp: Ensure they are peeled, deveined, and tails removed.
     • Cooked Rice: Add the cooked rice for the casserole’s base.
     • Condensed Soup: Use undiluted cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup for the creamy sauce.
     • Diced Vegetables: Stir in the diced bell peppers and onions for crunch and flavor.
     • Seasonings: Add Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
  2. Add the Cheese: Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed. This ensures every bite is creamy and cheesy.
• Pour the shrimp mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
• Crush Ritz Crackers: In a small bowl, crush Ritz crackers into fine crumbs. The crackers will form the casserole’s golden topping.
• Mix with Butter: Add melted butter to the crushed crackers and mix until the crumbs are evenly coated. This creates a rich, buttery topping.
• Optional Parmesan: If using Parmesan cheese, mix it into the cracker topping for added flavor.
• Sprinkle: Evenly sprinkle the cracker mixture over the shrimp and rice layer in the baking dish. This will create a crispy, golden crust.
• Baking Time: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes.
• Cooking Check: The casserole is ready when:
  • The shrimp are pink and fully cooked (opaque).
  • The casserole is bubbling around the edges.
  • The topping is golden brown and crispy.
• Avoid Overcooking: Keep an eye on the casserole toward the end of baking to prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery.
• Cool Slightly: Allow the casserole to cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld and makes it easier to portion.
• Optional Garnishes:
  • Sprinkle fresh parsley for color and a pop of herbaceous flavor.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness and to complement the shrimp.
• Serve Warm: Serve the casserole directly from the dish as a main course.

Expert Tips:

1. Use Fresh or Frozen Shrimp: For the best flavor, use fresh shrimp. If using frozen, ensure they’re fully thawed and patted dry to prevent excess moisture.
2. Avoid Overcooking Shrimp: Shrimp cook quickly, so monitor the casserole to avoid rubbery texture.
3. Add More Vegetables: Customize the casserole by adding steamed broccoli, frozen peas, or sautéed mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.
4. Season to Taste: Adjust the seasoning to your preference. Add herbs like thyme, basil, or Old Bay seasoning for a unique flavor twist.
5. Double the Recipe: For larger gatherings, double the ingredients and use a 9×13-inch baking dish. Increase the baking time slightly if needed.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: The casserole can be frozen (before or after baking) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating: Warm the casserole in the oven at 325°F (165°C) until heated through, or microwave individual portions.

More Recipes

• Best Turkey Cabbage Casserole with Rice
• Sweet Potato Pineapple Casserole
• Nixon Chicken Casserole Recipe 

Easy Shrimp Casserole with Ritz Crackers

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.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Cooling Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

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.