Crab Meat Pizza Hors D'Oeuvres
Cream cheese and crab meat form a delicious, creamy spread resembling a pizza, perfect for parties and served with crackers. Savory, tangy, and visually appealing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix together the softened cream cheese, minced onion, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and garlic powder until smooth.
- Spread the mixture evenly on a tray to form a base with a ridge like a pizza crust.
- Spread cocktail (shrimp) sauce over the top to resemble pizza sauce.
- Sprinkle with shredded or chopped imitation crabmeat to look like cheese.
- Garnish with parsley and/or paprika for color.
- Serve with Ritz crackers.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding a splash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cream cheese mixture. For a lighter option, Greek yogurt can be substituted for mayonnaise. If fresh crab is available, it can elevate the dish significantly. For a different twist, try using a blend of cheeses instead of imitation crab.
Serving Suggestions
These crab meat pizza hors d'oeuvres make a delightful appetizer at parties or gatherings. They pair beautifully with a crisp white wine or a refreshing cocktail. For a complete spread, consider serving alongside other appetizers like Italian filled cookies for dessert or fresh berry tiramisu for a sweet finish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover crab meat pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain freshness, avoid adding the cocktail sauce until ready to serve. If you want to serve it warm, you can gently reheat it in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Crab Meat Pizza Hors D'Oeuvres contains roughly 119 calories, with 2g protein, 13g carbohydrates, and 7g fat.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned crab meat for this recipe?
Yes, canned crab meat is a convenient option and works well in this recipe. Just be sure to drain it well to remove excess liquid before adding it to the mixture.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply serve it with gluten-free crackers instead of Ritz crackers. There are many tasty gluten-free options available that will complement the flavors of the crab meat pizza.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cream cheese mixture a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just assemble the pizza and add toppings just before serving to keep it fresh.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).