Seafood Baked Pasta with White Sauce

Steps

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1. 1
   Prepare the aromatics: halve the onion and finely dice it; mince the garlic.
   ≈0:10
2. 2
   Prepare the prawns: remove the shells and heads, split lengthwise and remove the dark vein. Season with salt, sugar, white pepper and a splash of wine; toss and refrigerate.
   ≈0:36
3. 3
   Prepare the squid: remove the outer skin and slice into rings.
   ≈1:10
4. 4
   Steam the clams: place clams in a pot with white wine and water; heat over medium until all shells open. Remove the broth and set aside; the clam meat will be removed later.
   ≈2:26
5. 5
   Cook the pasta: in a separate pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente; drain and set aside.
   ≈2:57
6. 6
   Sauté the aromatics: heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium heat until the butter foams; add the diced onion and cook until translucent; add garlic and salt.
   ≈3:04
7. 7
   Make the white sauce base: turn off the heat and stir in flour, breaking up any lumps; add the drained pasta and mix well; pour in the clam broth.
   ≈3:37
8. 8
   Continue cooking the sauce: turn the heat back to medium and stir constantly until the onion and flour blend into the broth and the sauce thickens.
   ≈4:21
9. 9
   Season the sauce: turn off heat, add nutmeg and stir; gradually add milk in parts, stirring to combine; turn heat back on and simmer until thick, stirring in Parmesan cheese gradually over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
   ≈4:44
10. 10
    Preheat the oven to 230°C (445°F).
    ≈5:45
11. 11
    Cook the prawns: add the prawns directly to the white sauce and stir gently until they turn pink and are mostly cooked through—they don't need to be fully cooked as they'll continue in the oven.
    ≈5:45
12. 12
    Add remaining seafood and vegetables: add corn kernels and clam meat to the sauce and stir until evenly combined.
    ≈6:14
13. 13
    Combine pasta and sauce: add the cooked drained pasta to the seafood sauce and mix thoroughly.
    ≈6:32
14. 14
    Plate the dish: transfer the seafood pasta mixture into baking dish(es)—either one large dish or individual plates. Optionally add blanched broccoli as a vegetable side.
    ≈6:49
15. 15
    Top with cheese and breadcrumbs: sprinkle Parmesan over the pasta, then breadcrumbs, then alternate layers; finish with a full, even layer of mozzarella cheese on top.
    ≈7:09
16. 16
    Bake: place in the preheated 230°C oven for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown.
    ≈7:33
17. 17
    Garnish and serve: top with fresh parsley and serve hot.
    ≈7:48