Crab Imperial: A Luxurious and Easy Seafood Delight for Beginner Cooks
Crab Imperial is a luxurious and easy seafood delight that’s perfect for beginner cooks. This dish combines tender lump crab meat with a creamy, flavorful sauce that bakes to golden perfection. Imagine the rich aroma of fresh seafood mingling with zesty lemon and savory spices wafting through your kitchen as this elegant casserole bakes. With just 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes in the oven, you can impress your family or guests with a dish that feels gourmet without requiring extensive culinary skills. Whether you’re hosting a special dinner or want to indulge on a cozy night in, this Crab Imperial will leave everyone craving more!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lump crab meat (picked over for shells)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon chicken broth (in place of Worcestershire sauce)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (plus extra for garnish)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley (plus extra for garnish)
- Optional: 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
- Optional: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish or individual ramekins.
- In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, beaten egg, Dijon mustard, chicken broth, lemon juice, and Old Bay seasoning.
- Gently fold the lump crab meat and diced red bell pepper into the mixture.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish or ramekins.
- If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for added crunch.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (approximately 170g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 95mg