Crab and Shrimp Casserole
This creamy crab and shrimp casserole is rich, buttery, and loaded with tender seafood, perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion centerpiece.
A Crab and Shrimp Casserole Worth Celebrating
There is something about the combination of sweet crab and plump shrimp baked into a creamy, golden topped casserole that instantly feels like a special occasion. This crab and shrimp casserole takes everything you love about classic seafood casseroles and stuffed bell peppers and turns it into one cozy, shareable dish. It is rich, savory, and packed with tender seafood in every single bite, the kind of recipe that turns an ordinary family dinner into something memorable.
Whether you are making this for a holiday table, a weekend dinner party, or simply because you found beautiful crab and shrimp at the market, this casserole comes together with surprisingly little fuss. No fancy stuffed peppers shells or complicated layering required, just one dish that delivers maximum flavor.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and ingredients make a real difference here. A sturdy casserole dish helps the seafood bake evenly without drying out, and using fresh, high quality crab and shrimp is what really makes this dish shine. These are the products that genuinely help this recipe come together beautifully:
Why This Seafood Casserole Works So Well
The magic of this recipe lies in the balance. Cream cheese and mayonnaise create a luxuriously creamy base, while Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and Old Bay seasoning add depth without overpowering the delicate seafood flavor. Saltine crackers fold into the mixture and also crown the top, giving you that irresistible golden, slightly crunchy crust against the soft, creamy interior.
Unlike many seafood casserole recipes that lean too heavily on filler, this one keeps crab and shrimp as the true stars. Every forkful gets a generous amount of both.
Chef's Tip: Pat your shrimp and crab meat dry with paper towels before mixing them in. Excess moisture is the number one reason seafood casseroles turn watery instead of creamy.
A Few Notes on Ingredients
For the best texture, look for lump crab meat rather than claw meat, since the larger pieces hold up beautifully during baking. Fresh shrimp is ideal, but quality frozen shrimp that has been properly thawed and dried works just as well. If you are scaling this up for a crowd, this casserole multiplies easily and is a fantastic centerpiece alongside stuffed bell peppers or a simple green salad for a complete seafood spread.
A small amount of lemon juice brightens the entire dish, cutting through the richness of the cream cheese and mayonnaise so the seafood flavor stays front and center rather than getting lost.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step by step recipe:
Crab and Shrimp Casserole
This creamy crab and shrimp casserole is rich, buttery, and loaded with tender seafood, perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion centerpiece.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 4 tbsp butter, unsalted, melted
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise, full-fat
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning, plus more for sprinkling on top
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup saltine crackers, crushed, divided
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1 lemon, juiced, plus wedges for serving
- 1 tsp salt and black pepper, to taste, combined
Instruction
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and lightly butter a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and red bell pepper, and saute for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more, just until fragrant, then remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then whisk in the mayonnaise, eggs, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
Fold in the cooked vegetable mixture, half of the crushed crackers, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Gently fold in the crab meat and chopped shrimp, being careful not to break up the crab too much.
Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish.
Sprinkle the remaining crushed crackers and shredded cheddar evenly over the top, then dust with a little extra Old Bay.
Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden and the center is set with a gentle jiggle.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with lemon wedges.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch casserole dish
- Large skillet
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
Notes
Serving, Storing, and Make Ahead Tips
Serve this casserole warm, straight from the oven, with extra lemon wedges on the side and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for color. It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread, a crisp white wine, or a simple rice pilaf to soak up every bit of the creamy sauce.
If you are planning ahead for a holiday or special occasion, you can assemble the entire casserole the night before and refrigerate it unbaked. This makes it one of the easiest impressive seafood dishes you can serve to guests, since most of the work happens well before anyone arrives.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently in a low oven rather than the microwave when possible, to keep the seafood tender
- Avoid freezing this casserole, as the creamy base can separate once thawed
Chef's Tip: If you want extra structure for slicing into neat squares, let the casserole rest for a full 10 minutes after baking before serving.
This crab and shrimp casserole proves that seafood night does not need to be complicated to feel luxurious. With creamy textures, bold seasoning, and tender bites of crab and shrimp throughout, it is the kind of family dinner recipe you will find yourself returning to again and again.
