Cheesy Crab Bake 🧀🦀 Creamy, Bubbly, and Packed With Crab

— Seafood Comfort in a Dish

Cheesy Crab Bake is a warm, comforting seafood casserole loaded with sweet lump crab, melty cheese, and a creamy, seasoned base with hints of lemon and spice.

It’s perfect as a main or a party dip — baked until golden and served hot with crusty bread, crackers, or just a big spoon.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

• 1 lb lump crab meat (fresh or canned, drained and picked over)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup shredded cheddar
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella
• 2 tbsp mayo
• 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp chopped scallions or parsley
• Optional: pinch of cayenne or hot sauce

Topping (optional but delicious)

• ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• Extra shredded cheese for the top

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Mix

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, garlic, and Old Bay until smooth.

Step 2: Fold and Load

Gently fold in crab meat, cheddar, mozzarella, and scallions. Don’t overmix — keep the crab in nice chunks.

Step 3: Assemble and Top

Spread into a greased baking dish. Mix panko with melted butter and sprinkle over the top with extra cheese if desired.

Step 4: Bake

Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until hot and bubbly with golden edges. Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end for extra browning.

Step 5: Serve Hot

Serve immediately with toasted baguette slices, butter crackers, or as a luxe filling for baked potatoes or pasta shells.

Flavor Variations

• Add diced jalapeños or green chiles for a spicy version
• Use Gruyère or fontina for a more elegant cheese base
• Mix in sautéed spinach or artichokes for a green boost
• Top with crispy bacon crumbles for a surf-meets-smoke finish

Serving Ideas

• In a cast iron skillet with crostini on the side
• As a baked dip for game day or seafood spreads
• Stuffed into mushrooms or mini bell peppers
• Spooned into puff pastry shells or over roasted vegetables

Pro Tips

• Use lump crab for the best texture — avoid shredded imitation if possible
• Soften cream cheese fully for easier mixing and better texture
• Don’t overbake — just cook until hot and lightly golden
• Leftovers make incredible grilled cheese, quesadillas, or omelet filling

Final Thoughts

Cheesy Crab Bake is the seafood casserole that checks every box: warm, cheesy, briny, and deeply satisfying. It’s a coastal crowd-pleaser that feels both indulgent and familiar — perfect for holidays, gatherings, or weeknight craving control.

Stir rich. Bake golden. Scoop hot. 🧀🦀🔥

🦐 Explore More Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
🧀 Comforting Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, cheesy bakes with crab, shrimp, or scallops.
🥣 Warm and Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick and delicious mains like garlic butter tilapia.
🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light yet flavorful options like grilled mahi mahi with salsa.
🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy rice dishes with seared scallops and fresh veg.
🌊 Seafood Stews – Hearty, rustic stews from the Mediterranean and beyond.