Authentic Moroccan Seafood Bastilla (Fish Bastilla)

Crispy, golden, and packed with delicious seafood, Moroccan Seafood Bastilla (also known as Fish Bastilla) is one of Morocco’s most impressive festive dishes. Made with flaky white fish, shrimp, calamari, vermicelli noodles, herbs, and aromatic spices wrapped in delicate warqa pastry, this savory pie is a true centerpiece for weddings, family celebrations, Ramadan, and special occasions.

This recipe combines crispy layers with a rich, flavorful seafood filling that everyone will love.

Prep Time

• Preparation: 45 minutes
• Cooking: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Servings: 8–10

Ingredients

Seafood

• 500 g shrimp, peeled
• 500 g calamari (squid), cleaned and sliced
• 500 g white fish fillets (Merlan or any white fish)

Herbs & Vegetables

• 2–3 bay leaves
• Fresh thyme (small handful)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 preserved lemon (or fresh lemon juice)
• Fresh parsley (generous amount)
• Fresh cilantro

Seasonings

• 2 fish stock cubes
• 2 tsp fish seasoning
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Harissa (to taste)
• Soy sauce (2 tbsp)
• Salt (if needed)

Other Ingredients

• Rice vermicelli noodles
• Butter
• Vegetable oil
• Black mushrooms (wood ear mushrooms), soaked
• Fresh mushrooms or 1 can sliced mushrooms
• Grated cheese
• Mayonnaise
• 500 g warqa pastry (or phyllo pastry)

Instructions

Step 1

Cook the shrimp, calamari, and white fish with butter, oil, garlic, herbs, preserved lemon, spices, soy sauce, fish seasoning, and bay leaves until fully cooked.

Step 2

Remove the fish and gently flake it into bite-sized pieces. Slice the calamari and keep the shrimp whole.

Step 3

Cook the vermicelli noodles according to package instructions, then mix them with the seafood.

Step 4

Add the mushrooms, grated cheese, mayonnaise, parsley, and cilantro. Mix everything well until evenly combined.

Step 5

Brush a large baking pan with butter. Arrange the warqa pastry sheets, allowing the edges to hang over the sides.

Step 6

Spread the seafood filling evenly and fold the pastry over it.

Step 7

Brush generously with melted butter.

Step 8

Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 35–45 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Step 9

Decorate with fried vermicelli, shrimp, lemon slices, cherry tomatoes, or cheese rolls before serving.

Tips

• Warqa pastry gives the most authentic Moroccan texture.
• Don’t overcook the seafood to keep it tender.
• Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
• Perfect for weddings, Eid, Ramadan, and family celebrations.