Crab Casserole Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Christina Jolam · This post may contain affiliate links. See end of article for more information. · 4 Comments

Jump to Recipe·5 from 1 review

If the Chinese restaurant cheesy crab casserole of your childhood still fills your dreams, this easy Crab Casserole Recipe is a dream come true!

Crab Casserole Recipe (1)

Endless variations of this Chinese buffet crab casserole exist online, and after testing and re-testing, I've perfected this one to match my memories of the very best of them.

I've included variations and flavor options in the FAQ section below, so you can make this imitation crab casserole your own!

What you'll need to make this dish :

Crab Casserole Recipe (2)

Before we get to the step by step directions, a few notes about ingredients:

Crab meat: in most US grocery stores, you have the option of chunk style or flake style crab meat. Either one works in this recipe, along with chopped crab sticks. Just flake up about half the crab and leave the rest in larger pieces.

Veggies: the recipe calls for finely diced celery and scallions in the cheesy crab mixture. Substitute chives, diced parsley, or omit if you prefer a greens-free casserole.

Cheese: cheddar is the classic type of cheese to use in this casserole, but substitute your favorite variety, or mix and match. Colby, colby-jack, pepper jack and Swiss are all great options.

Full ingredient list and measurements included in printable recipe card below.

Step by step instructions:

1. Prep crab

To begin, preheat your oven to 375℉. Lightly spray or grease an 8 x 8 square baking dish (equivalent to 2-quart casserole dish). Set aside. Next, prepare your crab. If using crab sticks, cut each into three pieces. If using chunk or flake style that's already portioned, transfer to a large bowl. Break up or shred about half of the crab chunks into smaller pieces.`

Crab Casserole Recipe (3)

2. Combine all casserole ingredients

Now add the remaining ingredients to the bowl of crab. First, remove ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese and one tablespoon of diced green onion and set aside for topping. Then add mayo, sour cream, lemon zest, diced green onions and celery (if using) and ¾ cup shredded cheese to the imitation crabmeat. Stir to combine well.

Crab Casserole Recipe (4)
Crab Casserole Recipe (5)

Transfer crab mixture to your prepared baking dish. Spread evenly. Top with remaining ¼ cup cheese and 1 tablespoon green onions.

Crab Casserole Recipe (6)

3. Bake and serve

Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is warmed through and the celery and onions are tender. If you're looking for a deeper golden brown on the cheese, broil for final 1-2 minutes of bake time. Remove from oven and serve.

Need more crab in your life?

  • Sushi Crab Mix
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FAQ's, Variations and Serving Suggestions:

Can I add seasoning to this crab casserole recipe?

I tested the casserole using a variety of seafood seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper and white pepper. Ultimately, I preferred the casserole that let the sweet crab meat really shine. But if you want a more savory crab casserole experience, feel free to add a ½ teaspoon of your favorite seasoning, Dijon mustard, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce or even a simple ½ teaspoon salt. Since the crab mixture doesn't include raw eggs, taste the crab before baking to adjust seasoning.

Can I add cream cheese to the mixture?

Lots of recipes include cream cheese in their crab casserole, but after testing, I found the cream cheese to be too heavy and savory for my taste. I was hoping for a crab rangoon experience and it just didn't deliver. If you have cream cheese and want to include it, I recommend starting with a couple of tablespoons of softened cream cheese and a good pinch of sugar. Use a wire whisk to combine with the mayo and sour cream to form a creamy sauce. Add the rest of the ingredients and then taste and adjust.

Will other types of cheese work besides cheddar?

Feel free to substitute your favorite shredded cheese here, including Colby, Swiss cheese, mozzarella, or even Parmesan cheese.

How to store leftover crab casserole?

To store, transfer crab casserole to an airtight container or wrap the cooled casserole dish tightly with plastic wrap and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Eat leftovers cold, or reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds until warmed through.

What is artificial crab meat made out of?

Imitation crab is made withsurimi, a paste made out of finely shredded or pulverized fish. After the fish is minced, it is heated and pressed into shapes that resemble meat from a crab leg.

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Crab Casserole Recipe (8)

Crab Casserole Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Christina
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

⅓ cup mayonnaise

¼ sour cream

2 teaspoons lemon zest

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded and divided

½ cup green onions, diced (green parts only)

½ cup celery, finely diced (optional)

1 pound imitation crab meat (chunk or flake style)

Instructions

  1. To begin, preheat your oven to 375℉. Lightly spray or grease an 8 x 8 square baking dish (equivalent to 2-quart casserole dish). Set aside. Next, prepare your crab. If using crab sticks, cut each into three pieces (about 1-inch each). If using chunk or flake style that's already portioned, transfer to a large bowl. Break up or shred about half of the crab chunks into smaller pieces.
  2. Now add the remaining ingredients to the bowl of crab. First, remove ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese and one tablespoon of diced green onion and set aside for topping. Then add mayo, sour cream, lemon zest, diced green onions and celery (if using) and ¾ cup shredded cheese to the imitation crabmeat. Stir to combine well.
  3. Transfer crab mixture to your prepared baking dish. Spread evenly. Top with remaining ¼ cup cheese and 1 tablespoon green onions. Bake in preheated oven at 375℉ for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is warmed through and the celery and onions are tender. If you're looking for a deeper golden brown on the cheese, broil for final 1-2 minutes of bake time Remove from oven and serve!

Notes

Chunk style, flake style or imitation crab sticks can all be used successfully in this recipe.

Feel free to substitute your favorite shredded cheese here, including Colby, Swiss cheese, mozzarella, or even Parmesan cheese.

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Category: Easy Recipes
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American

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About Christina Jolam

Christina Jolam is a fish-forward recipe developer, photographer, and food writer. She creates easy and impressive seafood-focused recipes that home chefs of all levels can make and share. Her recipes and seafood expertise have been featured on CNNHealth, MSN, Pip and Ebby, Savoring the Good, Eat Blog Talk and more. She spends most of her time in a seaside village in Portugal with her adventure-loving husband, Ramesh.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. chef mimi

    I’ve never heard of a crab casserole, but I’m quite intrigued! It would be handy for a brunch, or for company. I’d have to use real crab, though. I just can’t…..

    Reply

    • Christina

      It would be magical with real crab meat! For even less filler, you could use real crab meat in my Lazy Lobster Casserole - let me know what you think!

      https://weekdaypescatarian.com/maine-lobster-casserole-recipe-best-lazy-lobster/

      Reply

  2. Kim

    Eassyyyy, on point!

    Reply

    • Christina Jolam

      Love to hear that, Kim! Thanks for coming back to leave a review.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Crab Casserole Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What goes well with crab meat? ›

Here are a handful of the best crab side dishes:
  • Steamed Artichokes with Garlic and Butter.
  • Cottage-Cut French Fries.
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
  • Lemon and Garlic Butter Dipping Sauce.
  • Brandy-Infused Mayonnaise Dip.
  • Twice-Baked Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
  • Zucchini, Onion and Corn Hash.
  • Almond Caesar Salad.
Sep 8, 2022

What's imitation crab made of? ›

Imitation crab is made with surimi, a paste made out of finely shredded or pulverized fish. After the fish is minced, it is heated and pressed into shapes that resemble meat from a crab leg. The resulting imitation crab looks similar to the original crab in its coloring and texture.

Can you eat crab for breakfast? ›

We've included our favorite breakfast recipes with crab to inspire your next morning event. From Crab Pie and Crab Imperial to Deviled Crab Melts, this roundup is full of flavorful crab brunch recipes.

What food Cannot mix with crab? ›

Tea and persimmon contain tannins, which have been found to make protein harder to digest. So when tea and persimmon are eaten with crab, which is rich in protein, we might experience indigestion.

Should you rinse canned crab meat? ›

Yes, you can cook crab meat directly from the can. However, it is recommended to rinse the crab meat with cold water to remove any excess brine or salt before using it in your recipe.

What does imitation crab do to your body? ›

Imitation crab is highly processed and contains food additives like MSG, which can trigger adverse side effects in some people. Compared to regular crab, the imitation crab meat nutrition profile also lacks many of the vitamins and minerals found in fresh crab.

Is there any real crab in imitation crab meat? ›

While imitation crab is made from seafood, it generally contains no crab, other than a tiny amount of crab extract that is sometimes added for flavoring.

Are crabs healthy to eat? ›

Crab is packed with protein, which is important for building and maintaining muscle. Crab also contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and selenium. These nutrients play vital roles in improving general health while helping prevent a variety of chronic conditions.

Can I eat a crab I caught? ›

Yes. I would boil them first, just to eliminate the possibility of parasites or bacteria, but any crab—in fact, anything that you can catch on the—shoreline is edible. Some may be less appealing to the palate than others, but it's all edible.

Can crab be eaten raw? ›

Crab: A raw crab is pretty much impossible to eat. Crab meat is so rich in moisture that separating it from the shell is pointless. Most 'raw' crab recipes you see on the Internet are pickled at great lengths — that is, the acids (vinegar, wine, or citrus) in the recipe gently 'cook' the meat over time.

Is it OK to eat crab everyday? ›

Although it is recommended that regular fish-eaters should avoid eating brown crab meat too often, there is no need to limit the amount of white crab meat that you eat. There are no maximum recommended amounts for other types of shellfish.

What is the best sauce to eat with crab? ›

Now once you have your crab cooked and picked, here are my favorite dipping sauces to go with the crab meat. A simple Garlic Clarified Butter dipping sauce, Avocado Wasabi Mayonnaise dipping sauce and a Curry Mustard dipping sauce; all three are very different from each other but totally delicious.

Is it better to bake or boil crab? ›

Boiling crabs is the go-to cooking method

It's fuss-free and easy to control using a single large pot, some water, and seasoning to taste. It also preserves the natural, light, sea-fresh taste you want on your plate.

Which cooking method is best for crab? ›

One of the most popular ways to cook a crab, especially in Maryland and along the eastern shore, steaming provides an even and gentle cook for the delicate meat. The extreme heat caused by the method brings exquisite flavor into it without as much of a threat of overcooking.

What protein pairs with crab? ›

How to Combine Crab with Other Tasty Proteins
  • Filet Mignon + Lump Crab Meat. ...
  • A Crab Cake Sandwich Loaded with Bacon. ...
  • Chicken Breasts Packed with Crab Dip. ...
  • A Saucy Crab and Sausage Soup. ...
  • COSTAS INN: YOUR SEAFOOD DESTINATION.
Jan 22, 2021

What is the best way to cook crab meat? ›

One of the most popular ways to cook a crab, especially in Maryland and along the eastern shore, steaming provides an even and gentle cook for the delicate meat. The extreme heat caused by the method brings exquisite flavor into it without as much of a threat of overcooking.

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