The Story & Intro
If there’s one holiday dish that always takes me right back to the twinkling lights and cozy warmth of winter gatherings, it’s Festive Stuffed Crab & Lobster Shells. I remember the first time I made this luxurious seafood bake for friends the smell of garlic butter filled the kitchen, someone was pouring wine, and everyone kept sneaking spoonfuls of filling before it even made it into the shells. It’s one of those recipes that feels indulgent but comforting at the same time the kind of food made for celebration.
Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded the cobblestone streets of Paris for the cozy kitchens of America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸. Ever since I could reach the countertop, I’ve been whisking, stirring, and sneaking tastes of cake batter when no one was looking 🍰😋. Cooking isn’t just my passion it’s my love language, my therapy, and my favorite way to make people smile.
This recipe is exactly that a little love, a little flair, and a whole lot of flavor. When I created these Festive Stuffed Crab & Lobster Shells, I wanted something that blended celebration with comfort. Something that felt like a hug wrapped in buttery seafood. Something simple enough for a cozy evening but impressive enough for a holiday feast.
Growing up, seafood was part of every special occasion back home. My mother would buy fresh crab from the market, my father would handle the steaming, and we’d all gather around the table picking through the sweet meat while laughing about who got the biggest claw. Now, here in the U.S., I still hold onto that tradition but I’ve added my own little twists, American-style. Think creamy richness, holiday spice, and a golden breadcrumb topping that crackles when your fork breaks through it.
So whether you’re creating a luxurious Christmas Eve spread, a New Year’s appetizer, or simply treating someone you love to something extra special, these Festive Stuffed Crab & Lobster Shells will make your kitchen feel warm, bright, and deliciously alive.
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 25 minutes
- Cook: 20 minutes
- Total: 45 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
For the Shell Filling
- 1 ½ cups fresh or canned lump crab meat
- 1 cup cooked lobster meat, chopped
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ red bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
For Assembly
- 6–8 large lobster or crab shells (cleaned) or oven-safe ramekins
- Extra Parmesan
- Extra panko
- Melted butter for brushing
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Sauté the aromatics
In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Build the creamy base
Pour in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, Old Bay, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer until slightly thickened about 2 minutes.
3. Combine the seafood
Remove from heat and gently fold in the crab and lobster meat. Add breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, and lemon juice. Mix until everything is creamy and well combined.
4. Prepare the shells
Brush the insides of the shells with melted butter. If using ramekins, butter them lightly.
5. Fill generously
Spoon the seafood mixture into each shell, packing it in so every bite is rich and flavorful.
6. Add the final crunch
Top with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of panko. Drizzle lightly with melted butter for golden color.
7. Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
8. Serve warm
Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately while the tops are crispy and the filling is hot and creamy.
Serving Suggestions
These Festive Stuffed Crab & Lobster Shells shine beautifully on any holiday table, but here are my favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Serve with a crisp green salad tossed in citrus vinaigrette
- Pair with roasted asparagus or buttered green beans
- Add crusty sourdough bread to soak up the creamy seafood juices
- Make it a main dish by serving over buttered pasta or garlic mashed potatoes
- Pair with sparkling wine, champagne, or a chilled Sauvignon Blanc
This dish is indulgent, but the flavors are so balanced buttery, citrusy, slightly smoky, and wonderfully ocean-sweet.
Recipe Card
📖 Festive Stuffed Crab & Lobster Shells
⏱️ Total Time: 45 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 6–8
🛒 Ingredients
- Crab meat
- Lobster meat
- Butter
- Shallots, garlic, bell pepper
- Heavy cream, Dijon
- Parmesan, panko
- Old Bay, paprika
- Lemon, parsley
👩🍳 Instructions
- Sauté aromatics in butter.
- Add cream, mustard, and spices; simmer.
- Fold in crab, lobster, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan.
- Stuff shells and top with panko.
- Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes.
- Serve warm with lemon and parsley.
📝 Notes
- Fresh seafood tastes best, but high-quality canned crab works too.
- Add a pinch of cayenne for heat.
- Ramekins can replace shells for easier serving.
🍽️ Nutrition (Approx. per serving)
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 11g
Conclusion
There’s something magical about seafood during the holidays the aroma, the richness, the elegance it brings to the table. These Festive Stuffed Crab & Lobster Shells are warm, creamy, and bursting with flavor, but still easy enough for a stress-free celebration. Every bite feels like a memory in the making.
Whether this becomes your new Christmas tradition or a special weekend treat, I hope it brings as much joy to your home as it does to mine. From the cozy kitchens of Paris to the warm, bustling homes of America, this recipe is my way of sharing a little love with you. ❤️✨
