Quick Crab Casserole
A creamy seafood casserole featuring crab, salmon, and fresh vegetables, topped with cheese and baked to perfection—ideal for comforting family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 lb crabmeat ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cooked peas ⓘ
- 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 cup grated cheese ⓘ
- paprika ⓘ
- 1.5 cups cauliflower florets ⓘ
- 1.5 cups broccoli florets and chopped stems ⓘ
- 1.5 tablespoons mild, light flavored olive oil
- 2 scallions minced ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1.5 cups skim or low-fat milk ⓘ
- 3/4 cup grated nonfat or low-fat cheese ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill leaves ⓘ
- 17.75 oz can salmon or fresh salmon drained and cut into chunks with skin and bones removed ⓘ
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly oil a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Steam the cauliflower and broccoli until just tender.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan.
- Saute scallions until soft, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Stir the flour into the oil in the saucepan and cook until the mixture bubbles.
- Add milk gradually, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- Add cheese, mushrooms, parsley, and dill; stir until the cheese melts.
- Add the salmon, steamed cauliflower and broccoli, and sauteed scallions into the cheese mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 35 minutes or until a light brown crust forms.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance flavor, consider adding a splash of lemon juice or a dash of hot sauce. If you don't have fresh crabmeat, canned or frozen crab can work as a substitute. For a lighter version, swap in Greek yogurt for the cream of mushroom soup. Make sure to steam the vegetables just until tender to maintain their vibrant color and texture.
Serving Suggestions
This Quick Crab Casserole pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal. For extra flavor, serve with a side of tartar sauce or a squeeze of fresh lemon. It also works well as a filling main course for a cozy family dinner or a delightful potluck dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can add a splash of milk to keep the casserole moist while reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Quick Crab Casserole contains roughly 640 calories, with 27g protein, 93g carbohydrates, and 22g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (158% of the Daily Value), iron (126% of the Daily Value), and vitamin D (83% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 600mg per serving (26% of the Daily Value).
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
What can I do if I can't find fresh scallions?
If fresh scallions are unavailable, you can use minced onions or shallots as a substitute. They will provide a similar flavor base for your casserole. Adjust the quantity to taste, as onions can be stronger in flavor than scallions.
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).