Description
This Shrimp and Mirliton Casserole is a savory, comforting dish combining tender boiled mirlitons, sautéed shrimp, and seasoned ground meat with aromatic vegetables. Enhanced with Cajun spices and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, it’s baked to golden perfection for a flavorful, Southern-inspired casserole perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 2½ lbs mirlitons (4–5 medium)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Seafood
- 1 lb shrimp (51/60 size, bite-sized)
- 1 tsp liquid crab boil
Meat
- 1 lb seasoned ground meat (beef or chicken)
Dry Goods & Dairy
- 4 cups French bread, cubed (stale or oven-dried)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Condiments & Spices
- 1 tbsp vinegar-based hot sauce
- Cajun seasoning, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Mirlitons: Boil whole mirlitons for 45–60 minutes until fork-tender. Allow them to cool, then peel, remove seeds and tough core, and chop the flesh into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook Shrimp: Soak the shrimp briefly in water seasoned with liquid crab boil to add flavor. Sauté the shrimp in butter over medium heat until they turn just pink, being careful not to overcook. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook Meat and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the seasoned ground meat until fully cooked. Add diced onion, green bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook the mixture until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped mirlitons, cooked shrimp, cooked ground meat and vegetable mixture, cubed bread, vinegar-based hot sauce, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish, then spread the mixture evenly into the dish. Sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese to create a crispy, flavorful topping.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is hot and bubbling throughout.
Notes
- Use stale or oven-dried French bread cubes to prevent sogginess in the casserole.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to your preferred level of spiciness.
- If you prefer a milder dish, reduce or omit the vinegar-based hot sauce and Cajun seasoning.
- Mirlitons can be substituted with zucchini or chayote squash if unavailable.
- For extra richness, add a tablespoon of butter to the breadcrumb topping before baking.
