Crab Casserole

Introduction

The oven hums, a warm, cheesy scent drifts through the kitchen, and I remember small plates passed around the table. Today I want to share my easy Crab Casserole—simple, creamy, and full of that familiar comfort. This always takes me back to Sunday dinners. If you love weeknight bakes, take a peek at some of my favorite comfort food casserole ideas for more inspiration.

Why You’ll Love This

• Fast to assemble — ready for the oven in ten minutes.
• Kid-approved — creamy texture and mild flavors.
• Budget-friendly — imitation crab keeps it affordable.
• Versatile — serves as main, side, or dip for parties.

Quick Recipe Snapshot

• Servings: 6
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 25–30 minutes
• Total time: 35–40 minutes
• Skill level: Easy
• Taste: Savory + cheesy

Warm and confident: you’ll feel good about popping this into the oven and serving a crowd.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Imitation crab meat — flaked or chopped, 12–16 oz
  • Chef note: Affordable and mild in flavor.
• Swiss cheese — shredded, 1 cup
  • Chef note: Adds nutty, melty body.
• Cream cheese — softened, 8 oz
  • Chef note: Soften to room temp for easier mixing.
• Sour cream — 1/2 cup
  • Chef note: Keeps the filling tangy and smooth.
• Garlic powder — 1 tsp (to taste)
  • Chef note: Easier than fresh garlic for quick mixes.
• Cheddar cheese — shredded, 1 cup (for topping)
  • Chef note: Choose sharp for more bite.

For extra casserole ideas and variations, you can also check another casserole favorites page.

How to Make It

1. First, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish so the edges won’t stick.
2. Next, place the imitation crab, Swiss cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic powder into a large bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon until smooth and evenly mixed. You’ll notice the mixture thicken and become glossy.
3. Then, spoon the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer. Smooth the top with a spatula so it bakes evenly. Meanwhile, preheat gives you a head start on bubbly topping.
4. Now, sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly across the surface. This will form a golden crust as it bakes.
5. Bake for 25–30 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to bubble and the cheese to turn a light golden brown. A few dark brown spots are okay — they add flavor.
6. Finally, let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving. It firms up slightly and becomes easier to scoop onto plates.

If you want a step-by-step photo walkthrough, I sometimes pair this method with other easy casseroles on my site comfort food casserole guide.

Kitchen Tips (From My Kitchen)

1. Time-saver: Use pre-shredded cheeses to shave prep time — still tastes great.
2. Common mistake + fix: Don’t overmix or it gets runny; fold gently until combined.
3. Simple variation: Stir in a tablespoon of chopped dill or Old Bay for a bright flavor twist — a small change goes a long way. Also see this handy casserole inspiration for more ideas.

Serving Ideas

• Weeknight dinner: Serve with a crisp green salad and crusty bread.
• Brunch or buffet: Scoop into small ramekins and serve with crackers.
• Holiday side: Add to the table alongside roasted veggies.
• Party dip: Warm and scoopable — set out with toasted baguette slices.
  Optional garnish: chopped parsley, a squeeze of lemon, or extra cracked pepper.

Storing & Leftovers

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze in portions up to 2 months (thaw overnight in fridge).
• Reheat: Warm gently in a 325°F oven to preserve creaminess, about 10–15 minutes.
  Leftover idea: Turn cooled pieces into a hearty sandwich or spoon over a baked potato.

Crab Casserole

A simple, creamy Crab Casserole that’s ready in under 40 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 300

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Casserole Base

• 12-16 oz Imitation crab meat, flaked or chopped Affordable and mild in flavor.
• 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded Adds nutty, melty body.
• 8 oz Cream cheese, softened Soften to room temp for easier mixing.
• 1/2 cup Sour cream Keeps the filling tangy and smooth.
• 1 tsp Garlic powder Easier than fresh garlic for quick mixes.

Topping

• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded Choose sharp for more bite.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix the imitation crab, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic powder until smooth.
3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it into an even layer.
4. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar evenly across the surface.

Baking

1. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the edges bubble and the cheese is light golden brown.
2. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use pre-shredded cheeses to save time. Don’t overmix the filling to avoid a runny texture. For a flavor twist, add chopped dill or Old Bay.

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: Yes. Assemble, cover, and chill up to 24 hours. Bake straight from the fridge, adding a few extra minutes.

Q: What can I substitute for imitation crab?
A: You can use canned lump crab for a pricier upgrade, or chopped cooked shrimp in a pinch.

Q: How do I know the casserole is done?
A: Look for bubbling edges and a golden-cheese top; a clean spoon should come away with a thick, creamy scoop. This Crab Casserole browns and bubbles when ready.

Q: Can I freeze the baked casserole?
A: Yes — cool fully, wrap tightly, and freeze. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Final Thoughts

I love how this recipe turns a few humble ingredients into something warm and homey. Try it exactly as written the first time, and then nudge the flavors — more cheddar, a pinch of Old Bay, or fresh herbs — until it feels like your own. I hope this dish joins your rotation and brings the same cozy Saturday-night glow to your table as my Crab Casserole.

Conclusion

For another take on this classic, see Crab Casserole | The Blond Cook for a slightly different approach, and if you like the Chinese buffet-style, try this copycat version at Chinese Buffet Crab Casserole – The Food Hussy.