Description
Creamy Crab Imperial is a rich, old-school seafood casserole made with tender lump crabmeat folded into a seasoned, creamy base and topped with golden, buttery breadcrumbs. It’s the perfect easy dinner or elegant appetizer, loaded with flavor from Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon juice. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas or a showstopping dish for entertaining, this easy recipe brings comforting coastal vibes straight to your table. Perfect for holiday menus, seafood lovers, or anyone in search of bold yet simple food ideas.
Ingredients
1 pound lump crabmeat
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 large egg
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (Panko or fresh)
1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Gently fold in crabmeat, red bell pepper, and parsley without breaking up the lumps.
4. Spoon the mixture into a greased casserole dish or ramekins, spreading evenly.
5. In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbling and golden. Broil for 1–2 minutes if needed.
7. Remove, let rest briefly, garnish with parsley and serve hot with crusty bread or lemon wedges.
Notes
Use fresh lump crabmeat for best flavor and texture — avoid imitation crab.
For extra crunch, broil the breadcrumb topping for a minute or two, but watch closely.
You can prep this dish ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake — perfect for entertaining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 115mg