Spicy Crab & Shrimp Bake

🔥 Spicy Crab & Shrimp Bake

A decadent, creamy seafood casserole with a kick!

This cheesy, spicy crab and shrimp bake is perfect for a special occasion or indulgent weeknight dinner. It’s loaded with lump crab, juicy shrimp, and a creamy, slightly spicy sauce—all topped with a golden, buttery crust.

🦀 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

Seafood Base:

• 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled & deveined

• 8 oz (225g) lump crabmeat (fresh, canned, or imitation)

• 2 tbsp butter

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup diced onion

• 1/2 cup diced bell pepper (any color)

• 1/4 cup diced celery

Creamy Spicy Sauce:

• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half)

• 1/2 cup (120ml) seafood or chicken broth

• 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan

• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

• Salt & black pepper to taste

Topping:

• 1 cup (100g) Panko breadcrumbs

• 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan

• 2 tbsp melted butter

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Sauté the veggies & shrimp:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic until soft (~5 mins).

• Add shrimp and cook just until pink (~2-3 mins). Remove from heat.

2. Make the creamy sauce:

• In the same skillet, stir in heavy cream, broth, cream cheese, Parmesan, Old Bay, cayenne, and smoked paprika.

• Simmer on low until slightly thickened (~5 mins). Gently fold in crabmeat (don’t break up lumps!).

3. Assemble & bake:

• Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13″ baking dish (or individual ramekins).

• Mix Panko, Parmesan, melted butter, parsley, and garlic powder for the topping. Sprinkle evenly over the seafood.

• Bake 15–20 mins until bubbly and golden brown.

4. Broil for extra crispiness (optional):

• Switch oven to broil for the last 1–2 mins for a deeper golden crust.

💡 Tips & Variations

✅ Spice control: Reduce cayenne for mild heat, or add hot sauce for extra kick.
✅ Seafood swaps: Use scallops, lobster, or crawfish instead of shrimp/crab.
✅ Lighter version: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and Greek yogurt for cream cheese.
✅ Make ahead: Assemble (without topping), refrigerate, and bake before serving.

Serving Suggestions

🍽️ Over pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
🥗 With a crisp green salad to balance the richness.

This dish is restaurant-worthy but easy enough for home cooks—guaranteed to impress! Let me know if you’d like a dairy-free or keto-friendly version. 😊