Seared Tuna Steaks with Velvety Shrimp Sauce
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of this Seared Tuna Steaks with Velvety Shrimp Sauce! This dish transforms humble ingredients into a gourmet meal that impresses on any occasion. The tuna is marinated in a vibrant Italian dressing, infused with zesty lemon juice, and seasoned to perfection. The creamy shrimp sauce, rich with flavors from sautéed onions and bell peppers, provides a luxurious finish that brings the entire dish together. Although the onion may seem abundant, it beautifully mellows beneath the rich sauce, creating harmony on your plate. This recipe is ideal for dinner parties or a special family meal. Serve it alongside your favorite veggies or a light salad, and watch as your guests rave about this restaurant-quality dish. Get ready to elevate your dinner game!
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Italian salad dressing
1 cup (as is)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
garlic powder
1 teaspoon (as is)
red pepper
1/2 teaspoon (as is)
tarragon leaf
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
tuna steaks
2 lbs (1 inch thick)
butter
1/4 cup (unsalted, for sautéing)
onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
green onion
1 cup (chopped)
bell pepper
1/2 cup (chopped)
cream cheese
1 cup (softened)
half-and-half cream
1 cup (as is)
cooked shrimp
1 cup (chopped)
parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a 2-quart mixing bowl, combine the Italian salad dressing, lemon juice, garlic powder, red pepper, and tarragon leaf. Mix well to create a uniform marinade.
2
Add the tuna steaks to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight for maximum flavor.
3
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
4
Remove the tuna steaks from the marinade and place them in a 2-quart casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, turning the steaks halfway through.
5
While the tuna bakes, prepare the creamy shrimp sauce. In a 2-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the chopped onion, green onion, and bell pepper. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.
6
Stir in the cream cheese and half-and-half, cooking over low heat until the cream cheese melts and the sauce thickens, stirring continuously.
7
Gently fold in the chopped cooked shrimp and parsley, allowing the sauce to heat through. Keep the shrimp sauce warm until the tuna steaks are finished baking.
8
Once the tuna steaks are done, drain any liquids from the casserole dish. Pour the creamy shrimp sauce over the tuna steaks, and return them to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
9
Serve the seared tuna steaks topped with the velvety shrimp sauce, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Seared Tuna Steaks with Velvety Shrimp Sauce?
It is a gourmet seafood dish featuring tuna steaks marinated in Italian dressing and lemon, then baked and topped with a rich, creamy sauce made of shrimp, cream cheese, and sautéed vegetables.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
What thickness should the tuna steaks be?
The recipe calls for tuna steaks that are 1 inch thick.
How long should I marinate the tuna?
You should marinate the tuna for at least 2 hours, though letting it sit overnight is ideal for maximum flavor.
What is included in the tuna marinade?
The marinade consists of Italian salad dressing, lemon juice, garlic powder, red pepper, and dried tarragon leaf.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C).
How long do the tuna steaks bake before adding the sauce?
The tuna steaks bake for an initial 15 minutes, and they should be turned halfway through.
What ingredients are used for the velvety shrimp sauce?
The sauce is made from butter, onion, green onion, bell pepper, softened cream cheese, half-and-half cream, chopped cooked shrimp, and parsley.
How do I prepare the vegetables for the sauce?
Chop the onion, green onion, and bell pepper, then sauté them in melted butter for about 5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
What kind of cream is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses 1 cup of half-and-half cream.
Should the shrimp in the sauce be raw or cooked?
The recipe specifies using 1 cup of chopped cooked shrimp.
How do I ensure the cream cheese melts properly?
Stir the softened cream cheese and half-and-half over low heat continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens.
What is the total baking time once the sauce is added?
After the sauce is poured over the tuna, the dish should be returned to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
Why do I need to drain the liquids from the casserole dish?
Draining the liquids before adding the sauce prevents the creamy shrimp sauce from becoming diluted or watery.
Can I use dried tarragon for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1/2 teaspoon of dried tarragon leaf.
How much butter is needed?
You will need 1/4 cup of butter for sautéing the vegetables.
What is the purpose of the Italian salad dressing?
It serves as the base for the marinade, providing oil, vinegar, and herbs to season and tenderize the tuna.
What size mixing bowl is recommended?
A 2-quart mixing bowl is recommended for preparing the marinade.
What size casserole dish should be used?
A 2-quart casserole dish is suitable for baking the tuna steaks.
Is there any garnish recommended for this dish?
Yes, you can garnish the finished steaks with extra chopped parsley if desired.
What vegetables are in the sauce?
The sauce contains a mix of regular onion, green onion, and bell pepper.
How much tuna is required?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of tuna steaks.
Can I substitute the lemon juice?
The recipe calls for freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor in the marinade.
Is this dish spicy?
It contains 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper, which adds a hint of seasoning but is generally not considered very spicy.
When should I add the parsley?
The parsley is folded into the shrimp sauce along with the cooked shrimp before heating it through.
What side dishes go well with this tuna?
It is recommended to serve this dish alongside your favorite vegetables or a light salad.
Should the tuna be covered while marinating?
Yes, cover the bowl while it refrigerates for the 2-hour or overnight duration.
How much cream cheese is needed?
The recipe uses 1 cup of softened cream cheese.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
While the recipe suggests making it while the tuna bakes, you can keep the sauce warm until you are ready to pour it over the fish.
What makes the sauce 'velvety'?
The combination of melted cream cheese and half-and-half cream creates a smooth, luxurious texture.