Easy Crab Imperial Recipe with Panko Topping

Introduction

The Easy Crab Imperial Recipe with Panko Topping delivers luxurious flavor in a dish that’s surprisingly simple to prepare. This classic seafood casserole is renowned for its sweet lump crabmeat, creamy base, and irresistible golden panko crust. Perfect for entertaining or weeknight dinners, Crab Imperial combines elegance and comfort, making it a surefire crowd pleaser every time it hits the table.

Deliciously Unique Easy Crab Imperial

What sets this Crab Imperial apart is the contrast between the delicate crab filling and the crunchy panko topping. The filling stays rich and moist thanks to a lush blend of mayonnaise, Dijon, and a hint of Old Bay, allowing the pure crab flavor to shine. The panko topping adds a light, golden crunch, elevating each bite and ensuring the dish never feels heavy. It’s restaurant-quality taste with none of the fuss!

Perfecting the Creamy Crab Filling

The heart of this dish is quality lump crabmeat gently folded with flavorful binders. Mayo, egg, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Old Bay create a crave-worthy, tangy base that coats every bite. Gently toss the crabmeat into the mixture to keep those beautiful lumps intact—this preserves the delicate texture and flavor that makes Crab Imperial such a standout.

Crispy Panko Topping That Steals the Show

Panko breadcrumbs are the secret to a topping that’s both light and stunningly crisp. Toss the panko with a little melted butter and a touch of fresh parsley before sprinkling it generously over the crab mixture. As the Crab Imperial bakes, the topping turns golden brown and crunchy, offering a tantalizing contrast to the creamy crab filling below.

Serving Suggestions for an Unforgettable Crab Imperial

Serve your Crab Imperial in small ramekins for a personalized touch, or bake in a casserole dish for easy family-style sharing. Pair with lemon wedges and a simple green salad or sautéed asparagus for a fresh, light complement. For a Southern classic, serve alongside buttered toast points or fluffy biscuits—perfect for scooping up every last bite.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 to 6 servings. Each portion offers a great source of protein from the crab, healthy fats from the mayo, and a moderate calorie count—around 280–350 calories per serving, depending on portion size and additions. It’s rich enough for special occasions but light enough to enjoy as part of a balanced meal.

Easy Crab Imperial with Panko Topping (Recap)

This Crab Imperial balances sweet crab, a tangy-spiced creamy filling, and a golden, crunchy panko topping into a memorable dish. Elegant and easy, it’s ideal for impressing guests or adding a luxurious touch to weeknight dinners.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly create a detailed shopping list, organized by grocery store aisle—perfect for efficient meal planning and effortless grocery trips.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease 4–6 individual ramekins or a medium baking dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, egg, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay, paprika, (and shallot or red bell pepper if using). Season with salt and pepper.
3. Gently fold the crabmeat and parsley into the mixture, taking care not to break up the crab lumps.
4. Spoon the crab mixture evenly into prepared ramekins or spread it in a single layer in your baking dish.
5. In a separate small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and a pinch of paprika. Toss with a fork until breadcrumbs are evenly coated and clump slightly. Sprinkle evenly over the crab mixture.
6. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the panko is golden brown, the filling is bubbly, and the center is just set. If desired, broil for 1–2 more minutes for extra crispiness—watch closely!
7. Garnish with additional parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges on the side.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Easy Crab Imperial Recipe with Panko Topping makes an excellent addition to a weekly meal plan, whether you want to prep in advance for entertaining or have a special weeknight treat. Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly organize your week and streamline your grocery shopping.

Planning Features:

• Automatically tallies ingredient amounts when planning multiple meals
• Consolidates your shopping list, sorted by store section
• Prevents duplicate ingredients and missing items
• Simplifies weekly meal prep and keeps you organized

Pro tip: Plan your Crab Imperial alongside other seafood dishes or weekly favorites—CookifyAI will merge overlapping ingredients like butter, eggs, or parsley, making budget-friendly meal planning a breeze.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Enjoy the fresh, succulent flavors of crab with the ease and convenience of this classic Easy Crab Imperial Recipe with Panko Topping—your guests (and your taste buds) will thank you!