Shrimp Pot Pies

This easy shrimp pot pie recipe combines tender shrimp and vegetables in a creamy tomato sauce, all topped with buttery, crunchy oyster crackers!

There are pot pies with flaky pastry crusts, and I love every single one of them. But this cozy shrimp version takes a delightfully different route—it gets its golden, crunchy topping from buttery oyster cracker crumbs!

Underneath that crispy topping is a creamy mixture of tender shrimp, sweet onion, carrots and celery, with tomato paste, clam juice and Old Bay adding just the right amount of seafood-supper flavor. And because we bake these little pot pies in individual ramekins, everyone gets their very own perfect helping. (Although one big casserole works just as deliciously!)

The Southern husband, who loves oyster crackers with abandon, is always especially happy to see this one coming. Creamy shrimp filling for me, buttery cracker topping for him…and happily ever after for everyone!

Jump to:

• 🔎 A quick look at this recipe
• ⭐️ Why this recipe works
• 🦪 What are oyster crackers?
• 🍤 Ingredients you need
• 📝 Ingredient notes
• 💡 Ingredient substitution ideas
• How to make shrimp pot pie!
• 🤔 Recipe FAQs
• What to serve with this recipe
• Shrimp Pot Pies
• 👩🏻‍🍳 Variations on this recipe
• 😍 Other shrimp recipes we love!
• ⭐️ We want to know what you think!
• 🥣 Come on into our kitchen!

🔎 A quick look at this recipe

⭐️ Why this recipe works

• 🍤 Tender, flavorful shrimp: The shrimp cook right in the creamy filling, soaking up all that savory seafood flavor.
• 🥕 Plenty of vegetables: Sweet onion, carrots and celery make every spoonful hearty and satisfying.
• 🥣 Rich but not too heavy: Cream, clam juice, tomato paste and Old Bay create a silky sauce with just the right amount of richness. 🧈
• The easiest crunchy topping: Buttery oyster cracker crumbs give us all the golden crunch of a pot pie crust with none of the rolling or crimping.
• 🥧 Individual servings: Baking these pot pies in ramekins makes an everyday dinner feel extra special—and you can also make one large casserole if you prefer.

🦪 What are oyster crackers?

Despite the name, oyster crackers contain exactly zero oysters—although the Southern husband would love them even more if they did!

They are little round, crunchy crackers that probably got their name from being served alongside oyster stew. They’re also the kind that arrive in a little plastic packet alongside your clam chowder.

There are all kinds, but the Southern husband seeks out Westminster crackers wherever he can find them.

🍤 Ingredients you need

📝 Ingredient notes

• Shrimp: Use raw shrimp that have been peeled and deveined. Any size will work since we’re chopping them into bite-sized pieces. Fresh or thawed frozen shrimp are both fine.
• Clam juice: This adds extra seafood flavor without making the filling taste overly fishy. If you prefer a milder flavor, substitute an equal amount of chicken or vegetable broth.
• Cream: Heavy cream gives the filling its silky texture. Half-and-half will also work, although the sauce may be slightly less rich.
• Tomato paste: Just two tablespoons add color, richness and a touch of sweetness. Freeze any leftover tomato paste in tablespoon-sized portions for another recipe.
• Old Bay: This classic seafood seasoning adds a gently savory, slightly spicy flavor. Feel free to add a little more if you like!
• Oyster crackers: Crush them into coarse crumbs rather than turning them into powder—you want plenty of buttery crunch in that topping. Saltines can substitute in a pinch.
• Parsley: Fresh parsley adds color and brightness to the creamy filling. You can swap in two tablespoons of dried parsley if needed.

💡 Ingredient substitution ideas

Missing something or want to swap in something different? Check out the links below to find more ingredient substitution ideas. 👇🏻

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

How to make shrimp pot pie!

You start by sautéing some chopped up onion and celery and carrots in a little butter until they are tender.

Add a little flour and cream and tomato paste and clam juice, simmer it all up until it is thickened, and then stir in some Old Bay seasoning and parsley.

Last but not least, add in some chopped shrimp, divide the mixture into ramekins, top them with crunched up oyster crackers and pop them in the oven for about 10 minutes, just enough to cook the shrimpies.

(No ramekins? You can also do this in a regular old casserole.)

Tender creamy shrimp on the inside, crunchy oyster cracker crust on the outside, and we all lived happily ever after!

🤔 Recipe FAQs

What to serve with this recipe

These creamy little pot pies are hearty enough to be the star of supper, so we like to keep things simple on the side. Pair them with a fresh tomato or zucchini salad, a pan of tender asparagus or some sweet roasted butternut squash for a cozy and colorful meal!

Oh, and if this has gotten your yearning for pot pies going, I have a bacon chicken pot pie that is pretty yummy. Pot pies are us!

👩🏻‍🍳 Variations on this recipe

• Make it extra seafood-y: Replace some of the shrimp with chopped scallops, crabmeat or lobster. Add cooked crab or lobster just before baking so it doesn’t overcook.
• Change up the topping: Swap the oyster crackers for crushed saltines, buttery round crackers or panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter.
• Add more veggies: Stir in frozen peas, corn or chopped spinach along with the shrimp. Thaw and drain frozen vegetables first so they don’t water down the sauce.
• Turn up the spice: Add a shake of cayenne pepper, a few drops of hot sauce or an extra sprinkle of Old Bay.
• Make one family-style pot pie: Spoon everything into a medium casserole dish instead of individual ramekins. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the shrimp are cooked through.
• Try a pastry topping: Replace the cracker crumbs with rounds or squares of puff pastry. Bake according to the pastry package directions until puffed and golden and the filling is hot.

😍 Other shrimp recipes we love!

⭐️ We want to know what you think!

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below.

Looking for more seafood inspiration? We’ve got you covered! 🥳 Here is our complete collection of seafood recipes.

🥣 Come on into our kitchen!

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