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–+ servings
Crab Casserole
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.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, new england
Servings 6
Calories 169 kcal

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
Keyword coastal cuisine, comfort food, crab casserole, creamy casserole, handwritten recipe, heirloom recipe, retro cooking, seafood, vintage recipe
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