What do you think of when you hear the word casserole? For me it brings up memories of the first meal I was responsible for cooking when I was a kid. I remember that chicken noodle casserole so well. It had instant milk, instant broth, and I'm pretty sure if there was such a thing as instant chicken it would have been in there too (almost, it called for canned chicken). Put it all in the dish, sprinkle it with canned parmesan, and bake. It is something I am absolutely certain I would never make again. That is not the case with this Crab Casserole for Two.
Casseroles were very popular years ago. Or should I say decades ago? I recall potlucks back in the 70's and 80's were tables lined from one end to the other with them. Everyone had their favorite. I can't tell you how many casserole dishes I received as wedding gifts. I still have a lot of those dishes today. My collection keeps growing. The dish I baked the crab casserole for two in is one I purchased recently. The dishes may be labeled with other names like gratin or baker however they are basically the same thing.
Crab is a very special treat. The price alone keeps it from being a regular item on the grocery list. It is splurge-worthy though. Every now and then I get a hankering for it and usually wind up making crab cakes. Even those usually call for a pound of crab and that gets in the way of making it for just the two of us. It is the reason I was hooked the moment I ran across a recipe for a casserole for two. It has all the factors of crab cakes I like (breading and lots of crab) along with the ease of baking it in one dish.
How is the crab casserole? It is chock full of crab and held together with breadcrumbs, butter, cream, egg, and light seasoning. It is not a creamy-like casserole. It is like a big crab cake in a way. The only real difference is extra breading on top. There isn't any need to serve it with bread because there is plenty inside. A simple green salad with it would be a lovely meal for a special evening.
Do you enjoy casseroles? If so, it is your lucky day. Scroll down to find a list of recipes by my fellow Sunday Supper bloggers. This week our theme is captivating casseroles and I can already spot some that captivated me just by the title. I'm looking forward to checking out each one. Thanks to Alice of A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen for hosting. Oh, and to end a meal for two you need a dessert for two so take a look at Baked Custard.
Crab Casserole for Two
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter divided
- ¾ cup plain breadcrumbs divided
- ½ cup half-and-half
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of fresh ground pepper
- 8 ounces cooked crabmeat
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or butter a 1-quart casserole dish.
- Whisk together egg, parsley, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add ½ cup breadcrumbs and half-and-half. Cook until slightly thickened, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat and add egg mixture, stirring rapidly while adding so the egg is incorporated in without cooking/scrambling in the pan.
- Stir in crabmeat. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish and spread evenly in the dish.
- Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter and stir in remaining ¼ cup breadcrumbs. Sprinkle evenly over casserole.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
Notes
Recipe adapted from one in the Southern Living Cookbook For Two published in 1981 (no longer in print).
Captivating Breakfast Casseroles
- Boozy Baked French Toast from Brunch with Joy
- Orange & Date Wife Saver Breakfast Casserole from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
- Spinach, Sausage and Polenta Breakfast Casserole from The Redhead Baker
Appetizing Casserole Sides
- Baked Cauli-Tots Casserole from Cupcake and Kale Chips
- Savory Sweet Potato and Sausage Bread Pudding from Nik Snacks
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts Casserole from Take A Bite Out of Boca
Main Event Casseroles
- Artichoke and Spinach Macaroni and Cheese Casserole from Ruffles & Truffles
- Baked Penne with Roasted Cauliflower and Italian Sausage from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Baked Ziti with Meatballs from Curious Cuisiniere
- Bison Meatloaf Casserole from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
- Cheesy Chicken Corkscrew Casserole from Recipes Food and Cooking
- Cheesy, Layered Italian Pasta Torta from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Chicken Enchiladas from Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
- Chicken Parmesan Quinoa Bake from Alida's Kitchen
- Chicken Ramen Mini Casseroles from The Ninja Baker
- Chicken with Whole Grains Casserole from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Chinese Noodle Casserole from Momma's Meals
- Crab Casserole for Two from Magnolia Days
- Creamy, Cheesy, Cauliflower & Sausage Casserole from Eating In Instead
- Fully Loaded Tater Tot Casserole from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Homemade Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole from Food Done Light
- King Ranch Casserole from The Texan New Yorker
- King Ranch Mac and Cheese from The Weekend Gourmet
- Mexican Lasagna from MealDiva
- Mom's Taco Casserole from Lifestyle Food Artistry
- Moroccan Polenta Casserole from Pancake Warriors
- Moussaka from Nosh My Way
- Neeps & Tatties Casserole from Happy Baking Days
- Quick No Boil Tuna Pasta Bake from Mess Makes Food
- Sausage Peppers and Onion Pasta Casserole from Family Foodie
- Southwestern Spaghetti Pie from The Messy Baker
- Stove-top Four Cheese Mac and Cheese from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Supreme Pizza Strata from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Sweet Corn and Green Chile Chicken Tamale Pie from Simply Healthy Family
- Taco Casserole from Peanut Butter and Peppers
Decadent Dessert and Sweet Casseroles
- Baked Lemon Dessert from Food Lust People Love
- Butterscotch Bread Pudding from The Foodie Army Wife
- Classic Apple Crisp from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- The Best Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from Pies and Plots
- Ultimate Deep Dish Brownies from Recipe for Perfection
- Vegan Oreo Rice Krispie Treats from Killer Bunnies, Inc
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What an elegant casserole, Renee! It sounds scrumptious---no instant anything in sight!!!
Crab is a special-occasion meal for us too! We usually wait for it to come into season, go on sale and splurge like crazy! This would be fun Valentine's meal at home! 🙂
This is totally my kind of casserole. I love crab cakes!
I love crab and this sounds perfect!
This is very like my aunt's crab casserole and it's one of my favorite things to make and eat. When we were little ,fresh crab wasn't so expensive in southern Louisiana as it is now so we had it more often. Good choice for a captivating casserole, Renee!
I'll tell you this — I don't think of this when I think of casseroles. This is way beyond your everyday casserole! Outstanding!
SUch a pretty casserole Renee! I've always thought of it as a winter dish, but this would be perfect in the springtime!
I too think of my childhood when it comes to casseroles. I believe Tuna Casserole was one of the first things I made as well 😉 So happy for grown up versions like this Crab Casserole! YUM ME!
I love that you don't have to make a ton in order to get a great result. Thanks for sharing!
I splurge on crab two or three times a year -- usually when it's on sale or we just get a huge craving for crab cakes. I love that this can be made with the smaller container of crab. Since there's just two of us at my house, this would be a perfect Valentine recipe for us!
Now that I live in Maryland, I have to get on the crab bandwagon. This looks awesome!
Oh Renee, I just love this. I'm a huge fan of crab, so this is exactly what I would want in a casserole. Pinning!!!
Decadent! I love crab and I'm thinking this would make a delicious Valentines dinner as well....yum!
You had me at crab. I've been hankering for some crab lately. I may have to remedy this with your casserole.
What an elegant and sophisticated casserole (sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? But that is truly what you've made!)
I adore crab, I would love this!
I love that this is romantic! I love that it is elegant! I love that it looks so comforting, and I really love that it's a great option for my clients with just two diners in the house! Beautiful casserole!
Keeper recipe, Renee! In fact I've placed your recipe in a very special file reserved for the selected elite foodies for my father. When I go take care of him in May and June in Florida, you can bet I'm pulling your crab casserole recipe! Crab is indeed pricey so I appreciate too that your casserole makes the lovely seafood affordable =)
We also only get crab for special occasions which is hard because we live in Maryland where Maryland fresh crab is available all year long. My husband would absolutely love this crab casserole...I'm thinking maybe Valentine's Day!
I couldn't wait to see this recipe. I have been drooling over the picture. It was a fabulous idea to use crab. I cannot wait to try it.
There are so many reasons why I love this casserole. I need this on my dinner plate ASAP!
Casseroles are the perfect make-ahead comfort food! Your crab casserole looks just lovely.
What a gorgeous casserole! My husband would adore this...perfect for our Valentine's menu!
You should have called this Heaven in a dish! Omg I just love this. It's a huge crab cake that you don't have to worry about falling apart when you flip or being to soggy! I'm in love!
Crab served up this way works for me!
Oh how I love anything with crab meat! This casserole sounds delicious, Renee, I would eat BOTH servings 🙂
I remember so many of those casseroles from years ago and am so thankful that fresh ingredients were 'discovered'! Your Crab Casserole is beautiful to look at and I look forward to making it here. I may even use it as an appetizer, too!
I know I don't eat fish but go figure I love crab cakes I bet I'd like this!! The topping looks amazing!
Oh my heavens, this looks SO GOOD!
It's so nice that this is just for two. Sometimes casseroles are so big and I just don't want all those leftovers.
Crab is a favorite in our house! This would be devoured but I probably should make it for 6 so the kids don't feel left out!
Wow, this looks amazing! Another beautiful recipe and photos 🙂
Delish! We like a bit more zing so added a tap of old bay and a bit more pepper. We mixed a bit of parm reg with the bread crumbs.
Soooooo good!
I wish people would actually make this, then rate it, instead of commenting on how delicious it LOOKS! It does look and sound wonderful, and I will make it, then rate it on the taste! That’s much more helpful.
@Pam, you took words out of my mouth! I want a rating on taste not on how pretty a picture looks!
Oh my word! I have been looking for this recipe for forever I'm not even kidding! Made as written with 2 personal preference changes. I added a dash of onion powder - a small dash at that - and used chicken stuffing mix in lieu of breadcrumbs soaking it in the half & half and melted butter. When I opened the oven to take it out I thought I'd died and gone to heaven it was the most divine smell wafting out of the oven and tasting it smashed all conservative expectations I had about it. I didn't realize this was THE recipe I had been looking for until I tasted it and it is very likely the best thing I've ever put in my mouth bar none! Thank you SO very much for this recipe!! If anyone is on the fence about making it get down now and just do it!! I'd give it 10 stars if I could!!