Seafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe
If you love a dish that feels luxurious yet comforting, this Seafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe is going to become your new favorite. Imagine tender crepes wrapped around a savory mix of shrimp and scallops, all smothered in a creamy, dreamy béchamel with melted Gruyère – it’s the kind of meal that turns any evening into a special occasion without too much fuss.
I’ve made this recipe countless times when I wanted to impress guests or treat my family, and it never disappoints. What I love is how versatile it is and how well the flavors balance: the seafood is delicate but satisfying, the béchamel adds richness, and the Gruyère tops it off with that irresistible golden crust. Whether it’s a cozy dinner or your next weekend adventure in the kitchen, you’ll enjoy all the love that goes into this classic Seafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The seafood’s natural sweetness pairs beautifully with the rich béchamel and sharp Gruyère cheese.
- Flexible and Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare components in advance, making this recipe great for stress-free entertaining.
- Delicate yet Hearty: Crepes provide a light wrap that lets the filling shine, while the baked cheese gives a deliciously satisfying finish.
- Impressive Presentation: Assembling and baking these crepes looks fancy, but it’s actually pretty straightforward.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Seafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe brings together simple ingredients that combine for a truly elegant dish. Each element plays an important role, from the tender crepes that cradle the seafood to the creamy béchamel that ties everything together.
- Eggs: Give the crepes structure and help create that silky, delicate texture you want.
- Butter (unsalted): Adds richness to the crepes and béchamel without overpowering the seafood flavors.
- All-purpose flour: It’s the base for both the crepe batter and béchamel, providing necessary body and smoothness.
- Milk: Whole milk works best for the béchamel sauce’s creaminess, but it also keeps the crepes tender.
- Water: Balances the crepe batter’s consistency for that thin, flexible result.
- Salt: Enhances every single component, from filling to batter.
- Shrimp and Scallops: These mild, sweet seafood stars are the heart of the filling; make sure they’re fresh or properly thawed for best flavor.
- Olive oil: For sautéing—its mild fruitiness complements the seafood nicely.
- Onion and Button Mushrooms: Add savory depth and earthiness, rounding out the flavor profile.
- White wine: A subtle acidity that brightens the filling and helps meld flavors.
- Parsley: Freshness and a pop of green; I always recommend chopping just before adding.
- Gruyère cheese: The crowning glory—its nutty, melty goodness creates that irresistible golden crust baked on top.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Seafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. Don’t hesitate to tweak the filling or cheese—and honestly, switching up the seafood is always fun depending on what you find fresh at the market.
- Variation: I’ve tried swapping out scallops and shrimp for a mix of crab meat and lobster chunks, which felt extra indulgent and was a big hit with dinner guests.
- Dietary Modifications: For a lighter version, I sometimes use part skim milk in the béchamel or even a mild mozzarella instead of Gruyère for less sharpness.
- Seasonal Twists: When mushrooms aren’t in season, sautéed spinach or leeks make delectable green additions.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Seafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Together the Silky Crepe Batter
Start by combining eggs, melted butter, flour, salt, milk, and water in a large bowl. I often use a handheld mixer to get the batter perfectly smooth, but a whisk works just fine if you’re feeling old-school. You want the batter thinner than pancake batter—almost pourable—but without lumps. Cover it and let it rest for 30 minutes; this step helps relax the gluten so your crepes stay tender and don’t tear while cooking.
Step 2: Cook Thin, Golden Crepes
Heat an 8-inch non-stick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter. Once hot, pour in a ladleful of batter and swirl the pan so it spreads into a thin layer coating the entire bottom and a bit up the sides. You’ll know it’s time to flip when the edges lift away and light bubbles start bubbling on the surface. A quick 30 seconds on the other side and then stack them on a plate covered with a towel to keep warm while you finish the batch. You should end up with 10-12 delicate crepes perfect for rolling.
Step 3: Prepare the Luscious Béchamel Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter but don’t let it brown. Quickly whisk in flour so it forms a thick, smooth paste. Now slowly pour in the milk while whisking, then continue stirring as it heats up and thickens to a creamy sauce. Finish with a pinch of salt and pepper for taste. This béchamel is the velvet coating that makes this recipe feel so indulgent.
Step 4: Sauté the Flavorful Seafood Filling
Pat your shrimp and scallops dry—this is key for a nice sear. Sauté chopped onion in olive oil until translucent, then add mushrooms and cook until their liquid evaporates, concentrating flavor. Toss in the seafood and cook just about a minute, then splash in white wine to deglaze the pan and bring all those tasty bits together. If there’s extra liquid, drain it so the filling isn’t watery. Once cooled slightly, fold in most of your béchamel sauce and fresh parsley to keep the filling moist and flavorful.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake to Perfection
Butter your baking dish generously so the crepes don’t stick. Place about a heaping ¼ cup of the seafood filling on the lower third of each crepe, then roll up tightly and lay seam-side down in the dish. Drizzle the remaining béchamel over the top and sprinkle with shredded Gruyère. Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until bubbly, then for a golden finish, pop it under the broiler for 1-2 minutes—watch carefully so it doesn’t burn. Serving these piping hot is a sure way to impress!
Tips from My Kitchen
- Rest the Batter: Letting your crepe batter rest for 30 minutes really makes a difference in the texture—don’t skip this!
- Pat Seafood Dry: This prevents soggy filling and helps the shrimp and scallops sear quickly, locking in juicy flavor.
- Reserve Béchamel: Set aside some béchamel for drizzling on top before baking to keep crepes creamy and help the cheese melt beautifully.
- Watch the Broiler: When browning the cheese, keep an eye so it turns golden but doesn’t burn—it happens fast!
How to Serve Seafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little extra fresh parsley on top right after baking for a bright, fresh touch. A tiny squeeze of lemon over the crepes just before serving adds a lovely zing that complements the seafood perfectly. And if you like a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be a nice surprise.
Side Dishes
This seafood crepe dish pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette or some roasted asparagus for a fresh side. For something heartier, garlic mashed potatoes or even buttered green beans work well to round out the meal without stealing the spotlight.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fancy dinner, I’ve served these crepes in individual au gratin dishes for a restaurant-style presentation. You can also make mini crepes as finger food for parties by rolling smaller portions and cutting them into bite-sized pinwheels after baking—perfect with toothpicks!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, wrap them tightly and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven to keep the crepes from getting soggy. If you don’t finish the batch in one go, this is a great next-day treat.
Freezing
I’ve frozen the crepes unfilled, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap layered with parchment paper, and they keep well for about a month. The filling freezes okay too, but I recommend assembling the dish fresh before baking for best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the crepes loosely with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 10-15 minutes. If you want the cheese nice and bubbly again, remove the foil for the last few minutes.
FAQs
-
Can I use other types of seafood in this Seafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe?
Absolutely! While shrimp and scallops are classic, feel free to try crab, lobster, mussels, or firm white fish like cod or haddock. Just adjust cooking times to make sure seafood is perfectly done without becoming rubbery.
-
How can I make the crepes ahead of time?
You can make and stack the crepes up to three days in advance—just wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and keep them refrigerated. This saves a lot of time when assembling your dish later.
-
What if I don’t have Gruyère cheese?
Mozzarella can be a good substitute if you prefer a milder cheese. It melts nicely and won’t overpower the seafood filling.
-
Can I freeze the assembled crepes?
It’s best to freeze the crepes and filling separately for best texture, and assemble the dish fresh before baking. Freezing assembled crepes can sometimes make the crepes soggy upon thawing.
Final Thoughts
This Seafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe hits all the marks when you want something elegant without the fuss. It’s a dish I always come back to because it’s comforting, sophisticated, and surprisingly doable on a weeknight or for company. I hope you’ll enjoy making and savoring it as much as I do—once you try it, it’ll be a special staple in your kitchen too!
PrintSeafood Crepes with Béchamel Sauce and Gruyère Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
Delight in these elegant seafood crepes, filled with a savory mixture of shrimp and scallops in a creamy béchamel sauce, topped with melted Gruyère cheese and baked to perfection. A perfect dish for a special dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
For the Crepes
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp butter unsalted, melted
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup water
- pinch salt
For the Béchamel Sauce
- ¼ cup butter unsalted
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk preferably whole milk
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Seafood Filling
- 340 grams shrimp medium sized, peeled and deveined
- 340 grams scallops medium sized
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 cup button mushrooms thinly sliced
- ¼ cup white wine
- 2 tbsp parsley chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
For Assembling
- butter for greasing the baking dish
- ¾ cup Gruyère cheese shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the crepes: In a large bowl, combine eggs, melted butter, flour, salt, milk, and water. Mix well using a whisk, handheld mixer, or blender until smooth. Cover and let the batter rest for 30 minutes. Lightly grease an 8-inch non-stick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat. Pour a ladle of batter into the pan, swirling to coat the bottom and sides evenly. Cook about 1 minute until edges detach and bubbles form; flip and cook 30 seconds more. Stack crepes on a plate covered with a towel. Make 10-12 crepes in total.
- Prepare the béchamel sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat without browning. Whisk in flour to form a thick paste. Slowly add milk while whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Prepare the seafood filling: Rinse and pat dry shrimp and scallops (defrost if frozen). In a large skillet, sauté diced onion in olive oil until translucent. Add mushrooms and cook until water evaporates. Add shrimp and scallops and cook 1 minute. Pour in white wine and cook until mostly evaporated. Drain excess liquid if needed. Transfer seafood mixture to a bowl and stir in all but ¾ cup of the béchamel sauce along with chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble the crepes: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 13 inch baking dish or individual au gratin dishes (2 crepes per dish). Place about ¼ heaping cup of seafood filling on the lower third of each crepe, roll tightly, and place seam side down in the dish. Repeat with remaining crepes and filling. Drizzle reserved béchamel sauce over the crepes and sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese on top.
- Bake: Bake for 15 minutes until heated through and sauce bubbles. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to lightly brown the cheese. Serve hot.
Notes
- Try variations using crab, mussels, lobster, or firm white fish like cod, haddock, or grouper.
- Substitute Gruyère cheese with milder mozzarella if preferred.
- Crepes can be made up to 3 days ahead, wrapped tightly to prevent drying, and refrigerated.
- Crepes also freeze well for up to 1 month.
- Prepare the seafood filling a day in advance and keep refrigerated.
- Assemble the dish ahead and bake just before serving.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crepe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg