Shrimp Scampi Casserole

This is by request...Not for anyone on a low fat diet! It's also great as an appetizer for a party, just use small plates and forks to serve it. I don't remember where I got it but I think it might have been on a butter box. (Land-O-Lakes???) My family requests it at every family occasion. I have to tell you that I don't measure everthing in this recipe anymore. Just by eye now and I love garlic so you might go easy on it if your not a huge fan! (FYI, I have butter on the stovetop, a bowl with breadcrumb mix next to it, and casserole dish next to it. Sort of like an assembly line!) Recipe can be halved or quartered!

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 1 casserole

Ingredients

• 2  lbs large shrimp, peeled,cleaned & deveined,set aside
• 1  lb butter
• 1  clove garlic, crushed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1  tablespoon parsley flakes (approx)
• 2  tablespoons dried chives (optional)
• 2  cups  crushed  Ritz crackers, i use the low sodium kind now,it my preference (don't crush to finely, leave chunky)
• 1  cup  Italian style breadcrumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Mix ground pepper, parsley, chives, Ritz crackers and bread crumbs together in a large bowl.
2. Have bowl near stovetop.
3. Sprinkle a handful (1/2 cup) of breadcrumb mixture in bottom of casserole dish, set aside.
4. In 2 qt saucepan saute crushed garlic clove then discard.
5. Add 1 lb of butter to sauce pan and melt over low heat.
6. Keep heat very low and add shrimp, several at a time to butter, quickly removing them and coating them in breadcrumb mixture.
7. Line bottom of casserole dish with buttered/crumbed shrimp.
8. Continue doing this with all shrimp, layer after layer until all shrimp are in casserole dish.
9. Take any leftover breadcrumb mixture and pour it into the remaining butter, stir until all is coated.
10. Take by the handful and sprinkle over the top of the shrimp.
11. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes (depending on how many layers you have.) If you find you don't have extra breadcrumbs or butter, MAKE MORE!
12. Crush the Ritz crackers, add breadcrumbs and melt butter!