Crab and Shrimp Casserole
This creamy Crab and Shrimp Casserole is loaded with tender seafood, buttery crackers, and rich cheese for the ultimate special occasion dinner that comes together in one dish.
A Creamy Seafood Casserole Worth Celebrating
There is something about the combination of sweet lump crab and tender shrimp baked into a creamy, cheesy casserole that instantly feels like a special occasion. This Crab and Shrimp Casserole is the kind of dish that shows up at holiday dinners, birthday celebrations, and Sunday family dinners where everyone wants something a little more indulgent than the usual weeknight fare. It is rich, comforting, and packed with real seafood flavor in every single bite.
What makes this recipe so beloved is how approachable it is. You do not need to be a seafood chef to pull this off. It comes together with a handful of pantry staples, a quick saute, and one baking dish. If you love shrimp casserole recipes or creamy crab dishes, this one is about to become your new favorite.
Before we get cooking, the right tools and ingredients make a real difference here. A good nonstick baking dish helps the casserole bake evenly and release cleanly, and using genuinely fresh lump crab meat instead of the shredded imitation kind will make the flavor noticeably better. These are the products that genuinely help this recipe shine:
Why This Recipe Works So Well
The base of mayonnaise and sour cream keeps everything luxuriously creamy without turning heavy or greasy. Sauteed onion, celery, and green bell pepper add the classic aromatic backbone you will recognize from Southern seafood cooking, while Old Bay seasoning and Worcestershire sauce bring in that savory, slightly briny depth that makes crab and shrimp taste like crab and shrimp, not just cheese and mayo.
The buttery cracker topping is the finishing touch. As it bakes, it turns golden and slightly crisp, giving you a textural contrast against the soft, custardy interior below.
Chef's Tip: Resist the urge to overmix once you add the crab meat. Folding gently keeps those beautiful big lump pieces intact instead of shredding them into the casserole.
A Few Notes on Ingredients
This recipe leans on a few key players:
- Crab and shrimp, the seafood, are the stars, so use the best quality you can find or afford
- Cheddar cheese adds sharpness and helps bind everything together
- Old Bay seasoning is essential for that classic seafood casserole flavor
- Buttery crackers create the irresistible crispy topping
If you love stuffed bell peppers or other stuffed pepper recipes, you will notice a lot of the same flavor DNA here since this casserole borrows from that same comforting, veggie studded seafood filling tradition.
Ready to make it? Here is the full step by step recipe:
Crab and Shrimp Casserole
This creamy Crab and Shrimp Casserole is loaded with tender seafood, buttery crackers, and rich cheese for the ultimate special occasion dinner that comes together in one dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lump crab meat, picked over for shells
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and roughly chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning, plus more to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups buttery crackers, crushed, such as Ritz
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges, for serving
Instruction
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and saute the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, beaten eggs, Worcestershire sauce, and Old Bay seasoning. Whisk until smooth.
Fold in the crab meat, chopped shrimp, sauteed vegetables, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix gently to avoid breaking up the crab too much.
Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
In a small bowl, toss the crushed crackers with the melted butter, then scatter evenly over the casserole.
Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with lemon wedges.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large skillet
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
Notes
Serving, Storing, and Make Ahead Tips
This casserole is rich enough to serve on its own with a squeeze of fresh lemon, but it also pairs beautifully with a simple green salad, roasted asparagus, or a side of rice to soak up the creamy sauce. For a true special occasion spread, serve it alongside crusty bread and a chilled white wine.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to three days, and this dish also happens to be a fantastic make ahead option. You can assemble the entire casserole the night before a family dinner or holiday gathering, keep it covered in the fridge, and simply add the cracker topping right before it goes into the oven.
If you are cooking for a crowd, this recipe doubles easily in a larger baking dish, just extend the bake time slightly and check that the center is fully set before pulling it out.
However you serve it, this Crab and Shrimp Casserole delivers that impressive, restaurant quality seafood dinner feeling without requiring restaurant level effort in your own kitchen.
