Crab Casserole is a creamy and savory seafood dish featuring tender crab meat enveloped in a rich, egg-thickened sauce and finished with crunchy bread crumbs. A staple of mid-century American seafood suppers, this casserole blends classic pantry ingredients like mayonnaise, butter, and hard-boiled eggs to create an elegant yet comforting baked dish. Often served in crab shells or a casserole dish, it’s a nostalgic favorite that balances simplicity with coastal flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- 2 eggs (hard-boiled, chopped)
- 1 tbsp parsley (chopped)
- 1 lb crab meat
- bread crumbs (for topping)
- butter (for dotting on top)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the White Sauce
- Melt butter in a saucepan.
- Stir in flour and blend until smooth.
- Gradually add milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
Step 2: Add Flavorings and Ingredients
- Add mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to the white sauce.
- Stir in chopped hard-boiled eggs, parsley, and crab meat.
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
- Spoon the mixture into a greased casserole dish or clean crab shells.
- Sprinkle generously with bread crumbs and dot with small pieces of butter.
Step 4: Bake
- Place in a medium oven (350°F) and bake until hot and bubbling, about 25–30 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Tips
- Add a splash of sherry or white wine to the sauce for a classic coastal flavor.
- Replace some crab with shrimp or scallops for a mixed-seafood casserole.
- Mix grated cheddar or parmesan into the sauce for a cheesier version.
- Add sautéed celery, onions, or bell pepper for more texture and aroma.
- Use panko or crushed butter crackers instead of breadcrumbs for a crunchier topping.
- Substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream for some mayonnaise to change richness.
- Stir in paprika or Old Bay for a spicier, more modern seasoning profile.
- Bake in individual ramekins for elegant single-serve portions.
- Add chopped fresh herbs (dill, chives) for a brighter finish.
Nutrition
Calories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 17gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 734mgPotassium: 243mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 222IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 109mgIron: 1mg
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