Crab Casserole

Crab casserole is one of those dishes that feels incredibly fancy but is surprisingly simple to pull together. It is rich, creamy, loaded with tender crab meat, and topped with a golden, buttery crust that makes every bite absolutely irresistible.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This casserole is the kind of meal that gets people talking at the dinner table. It tastes like something you would order at a nice seafood restaurant, but it comes together in your own kitchen with minimal effort.

Whether you are entertaining guests or just want to treat your family to something special on a weeknight, this dish delivers every single time. The combination of creamy filling and flaky crab is pure comfort food magic.

Ingredients You Will Need

You do not need anything hard to find for this recipe. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, and the canned crab makes it totally accessible without sacrificing flavor.

The cream of mushroom soup adds a deep, savory richness that ties everything together beautifully. A little sharp cheddar on top gives you that gorgeous golden crust you absolutely cannot skip.

Feel free to use lump crab meat if you want to splurge — it makes an already amazing dish even more impressive.

Tips for the Best Crab Casserole

Drain your crab meat really well before adding it to the mix. Excess liquid can make the casserole watery, and you want that filling thick and luxurious.

Do not overbake. You are looking for a golden top and bubbling edges — usually around 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Pull it out as soon as it looks set so the crab stays tender and moist.

Let it rest for about five minutes before serving. This helps the casserole firm up just enough to scoop into clean, beautiful portions.

How To Make Crab Casserole

Step 1: Preheat and prep. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or an oval ceramic baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.

Step 2: Mix the filling. In a large bowl, combine the drained crab meat, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, lemon juice, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, and half the shredded cheddar. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.

Step 3: Transfer to baking dish. Pour the crab mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer using a spatula.

Step 4: Add the topping. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar evenly over the top, then scatter the buttered breadcrumbs across the surface for that irresistible golden crust.

Step 5: Bake until golden. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Print Pin

from 9 votes

Crab Casserole

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 cans (6 oz each) crab meat, drained well
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
• 1/3 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or an oval ceramic baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained crab meat, cream of mushroom soup, mayonnaise, sour cream, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and half of the shredded cheddar. Stir until evenly mixed.
• Transfer the crab mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
• Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar over the top of the casserole.
• In a small bowl, toss the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter until coated. Scatter the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the cheddar layer.
• Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon if desired.

Final Thoughts

This crab casserole is one of those recipes you will come back to again and again. It is elegant enough for a dinner party but easy enough for a busy Tuesday night — and it reheats beautifully the next day if you happen to have leftovers.

Serve it alongside a simple green salad, crusty bread, or steamed rice to soak up all that gorgeous creamy sauce. A squeeze of fresh lemon over each serving right before eating takes it completely over the top.

Give this one a try and watch it become a permanent fixture in your recipe rotation. Once you taste that first bite, you will understand why everyone asks for seconds.