Japanese Seafood Pasta Bake (Print version)
Creamy seafood pasta with golden panko and mushrooms, baked for a fusion comfort dish.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 9 oz penne or fusilli pasta
→ Seafood
02 - 7 oz peeled shrimp
03 - 5 oz squid, cleaned and sliced into rings
04 - 5 oz scallops or white fish, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 3.5 oz shiitake mushrooms, sliced
08 - 2 oz spinach leaves, chopped
→ Sauce
09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
11 - 1 2/3 cups whole milk
12 - 2 tablespoons Japanese mayonnaise, such as Kewpie
13 - 2 teaspoons soy sauce
14 - 1 teaspoon mirin
15 - 1 teaspoon dashi powder (optional)
16 - Salt and white pepper, to taste
→ Topping
17 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
18 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
19 - 1 tablespoon melted butter
20 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How to Make:
01 - Set the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a large baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
03 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 2 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and shiitake mushrooms, cooking an additional 2 minutes.
04 - Add shrimp, squid, and fish to the skillet and cook until just opaque, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook until wilted. Transfer mixture to a bowl.
05 - Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking until smooth and thickened, roughly 4–5 minutes.
06 - Stir in Japanese mayonnaise, soy sauce, mirin, and dashi powder (if using). Adjust salt and white pepper to your preference.
07 - Return seafood and vegetable mixture to skillet, add cooked pasta, and fold gently until evenly coated.
08 - Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish.
09 - Mix panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top.
10 - Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, until the topping is golden and the dish bubbles.
11 - Optionally, garnish with chopped parsley and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- Fusion of Japanese flavors with classic pasta bake comforts
- Golden crunchy panko topping adds irresistible texture
02 -
- Panko breadcrumbs create a light, crispy topping unique to Japanese fusion cuisine
- Always check seafood and ingredient labels for hidden allergens in processed products
03 -
- Mix the sauce until fully smooth for best texture
- Let the bake rest a few minutes out of the oven so it slices cleanly