Crab Dip Recipe
This crab dip is the perfect blend of creamy, cheesy, and savory, and it comes together in a snap. It features a luxuriously smooth base made from cream cheese and mayonnaise, rich with the flavor of Parmesan and mozzarella. The fresh lemon juice and hint of garlic add a bright contrast, and the crabmeat takes center stage. Baking it to golden, bubbly perfection makes every bite a textural delight. It is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring only a few minutes of mixing before it heads to the oven, making it an ideal choice for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish (a 1.5-quart dish works great) with non-stick spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spatula to beat them together until the mixture is completely smooth and lump-free. This step is important for achieving that ultra-creamy texture everyone loves.
Add the minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Old Bay seasoning to the bowl. Mix until everything is well incorporated and the mixture is a uniform color.
Gently fold in 3/4 cup of the shredded Parmesan cheese and the shredded mozzarella. Reserve the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan for later. Folding, instead of beating, keeps the mixture light.
Carefully fold in the lump crabmeat. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the crab into the cheese mixture. Be careful to keep the crab chunks as intact as possible to ensure you get beautiful bites of crab in every scoop.
Transfer the dip into your prepared baking dish. Use the spatula to spread it into an even layer.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the dip. This will bake into a delicious, golden crust.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly around the edges and the top is lightly golden brown. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes to prevent over-browning.
Remove from the oven. Let the crab dip cool for about 5-10 minutes to set up a bit before serving. This rest time prevents the dip from being too runny.
Garnish with fresh chopped chives or parsley and serve warm with your favorite dippers.