Chinese Baked Crab Delight Seafood Casserole

If you have ever walked the buffet line at a Chinese restaurant, you know the pan of creamy, cheese-topped seafood casserole that empties before anything else. This copycat Chinese buffet seafood bake combines imitation crab, imitation lobster, and shrimp in a rich mayonnaise base under melted mozzarella. It tastes just like the buffet version because it uses the same short list of budget-friendly ingredients, with no special equipment required. You can stir it together in about ten minutes, which makes it a smart choice for potlucks, party spreads, or an easy weeknight dinner.

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The Chinese buffet seafood bake goes by a lot of names on the steam table. Some restaurants label it Seafood Delight; others call it Baked Crab Delight or simply seafood casserole. Whatever the sign says, the pan holds the same thing: chopped surimi seafood and shrimp bound with mayonnaise, scattered with green onion, and baked under a layer of cheese until the top browns.

This is not a delicate dish, and it is not trying to be. It is warm, creamy, and salty in the way buffet food is supposed to be, and it costs very little to put together because imitation crab and imitation lobster run a fraction of the price of the real thing.

The recipe below makes a 1-quart dish that serves four as a main or eight as an appetizer scoop. The proportions are forgiving, so if you want more shrimp and less surimi, or all crab and no lobster, the casserole still works.

Why this recipe works

Mayonnaise does two jobs here. It is an emulsion of oil and egg, so it carries fat and moisture into the seafood as it heats, and it keeps the mixture from drying out during a 30-minute bake the way a milk or broth based sauce would. That is why this casserole needs no flour, no roux, and no cream.

Surimi seafood is already fully cooked and mild, which means the oven is only warming it through rather than cooking it. Raw shrimp is the one ingredient doing real cooking time, and 25 to 30 minutes at 350°F is enough to firm it up without turning it rubbery.

Mozzarella is the right cheese for the top because it is low in acid and melts into a smooth sheet instead of breaking into oil. A sharper cheese would fight the delicate seafood; mozzarella browns, stretches, and stays out of the way.

For my version, I use imitation crab and lobster, but I use real shrimp. If you like, you can use only the crab, as many restaurants use. Also, if you desire, you can add additional seasonings such as a touch of garlic powder or even some white pepper.

Does imitation crab taste like real crab?

Imitation crab is not real crab meat. It is a mixture of white fish. Often it is made with a blend of mild white fish like pollock, whiting, or haddock. It may contain a crab extract; it does contain coloring and a binder to shape it into miniature crab legs. While it does not taste exactly like crab, it is similar as it has a light flavor and a light texture. It is an economical alternative to more expensive crab meat.

Chinese Seafood Bake Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this seafood casserole:

• Imitation crab meat – Provides the sweet, mild seafood flavor and flaky texture that defines the buffet version.
• Imitation lobster meat – Adds a firmer, slightly chewier bite that keeps the casserole from turning uniformly soft.
• Shrimp – Contributes real shellfish flavor and a snappy texture that balances the surimi.
• Mayonnaise – Binds everything together and supplies the fat that keeps the bake creamy instead of dry.
• Green onions – Cut the richness with a fresh, sharp bite and add color.
• Mozzarella cheese – Melts into a smooth, browned top layer without overpowering the seafood.

Ingredient Notes

• Use full-fat mayonnaise. Light or reduced-fat versions contain more water and will separate into a thin puddle in the baking dish.
• Buy imitation crab in flake or chunk style rather than sticks if you can find it. It saves you the chopping step.
• Shred your own mozzarella from a block when possible. Pre-shredded cheese is coated with starch that can leave a slightly grainy film on top.
• Slice the green onions just before mixing so they stay bright rather than slick.

How to make a Chinese Seafood Delight Casserole

This recipe is so easy to make; you will simply stir up the ingredients together, place them in a casserole dish, and pop them into the oven for about 30 minutes. So in just 30 minutes, you will have an amazing dinner for you and for your family.

How do you store seafood casserole?

It is important that your seafood delight casserole is stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator. You should reheat this just long enough to warm the casserole in your microwave.

Can you freeze seafood casserole?

You can freeze this casserole for up to 3 months in your freezer. Be sure to seal it up very well.  Defrost completely before reheating.

Do you enjoy other Chinese restaurant favorites? Check out these recipes

• Hunan Chicken
• Chinese Spare Rib Recipe
• How to Make Homemade Egg Foo Young
• How to Make Panda Express Chow Mein
• Sweet and Sour Chicken Chinese Style
• Cheese Rangoon
• Copycat Mongolian Beef
• Chinese Spicy Mustard
• Fried Crispy Wontons
• Almond Cookie Recipe Chinese

Best Crab Recipes

• Olive Garden Crab Sam Remo Seafood Dip
• Crab Dip Recipe
• Crab Linguine Alfredo Recipe

Be sure to check my easy Chinese food and the best seafood recipes.