The Story & Intro
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.
And oh, let me tell you these festive stuffed crab & lobster shells are one of those dishes that make everyone at the table stop, breathe in, and say “Oh my goodness… what is THAT?”
The very first time I made these shells was for a Christmas Eve dinner when I had just moved to the U.S. I wanted something that felt luxurious and celebratory, something that reminded me of the seafood markets near Normandy yet still carried that American holiday abundance. So I combined the tender sweetness of crab, the richness of lobster, a little French creaminess, and a touch of American boldness and voilà! The festive stuffed crab & lobster shells were born.
Now, every year, they’ve become my little tradition. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or just a dinner where I want to impress without stressing, these shells deliver every single time. They’re elegant, decadent, and unbelievably easy to make the perfect “wow factor” dish for any holiday spread.
So settle in with me, mon ami, because today we’re going to create something seafood-kissed, buttery, and utterly irresistible: festive stuffed crab & lobster shells, a dish that tastes like celebration on a plate.
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 20 minutes
- Cook: 25 minutes
- Total: 45 minutes
Fast enough for a weeknight… but fancy enough for a feast ✨
🛒 Ingredients
For the Seafood Filling
- 1 cup lump crab meat (fresh or high-quality canned)
- 1 cup cooked lobster meat, chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Shells & Topping
- 8–12 clean lobster shells or large crab shells (you can also substitute small baking ramekins)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan
- Fresh lemon wedges for serving
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Sauté the Aromatics
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced shallot and cook until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook another 30 seconds. Your kitchen will already smell AMAZING.
2. Whisk the Creamy Base
In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and velvety. This is the luxurious backbone of your festive stuffed crab & lobster shells.
3. Combine the Seafood
Add the crab and chopped lobster meat to the bowl. Fold gently so you don’t break the delicate crab lumps. Stir in Gruyère, parsley, smoked paprika, and breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Prep Your Shells
Lay your lobster or crab shells on a baking sheet. If you don’t have shells, small baking dishes or scallop shells work beautifully.
5. Stuff Generously
Using a spoon, fill each shell with a big mound of seafood mixture. Don’t be shy the holidays are not the time for modest portions!
6. Add the Crunchy Topping
Mix the panko breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan. Sprinkle over each stuffed shell.
7. Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until the tops are golden and the filling is hot and bubbling.
8. Serve Warm
Finish with fresh lemon wedges and a sprinkle of parsley. Serve immediately while the shells are warm and aromatic.
Serving Suggestions
These festive stuffed crab & lobster shells are stunning on their own, but if you want a full celebratory meal, try pairing them with:
- Garlic butter roasted asparagus
- A crisp French salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Creamy mashed potatoes or parsnip purée
- Champagne or a buttery Chardonnay
For a holiday buffet, they also work beautifully as individual seafood appetizers!
Recipe Card
📖 Festive Stuffed Crab & Lobster Shells
A luxurious holiday seafood dish made with tender crab, rich lobster, creamy filling, and a golden buttery topping. Perfect for Christmas, New Year’s, or any celebration!
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 45 mins
🛒 Ingredients
- Lump crab meat
- Cooked lobster meat
- Butter, garlic, shallots
- Dijon, mayo, cream cheese
- Gruyère, breadcrumbs, lemon
- Smoked paprika, parsley
- Shells + topping ingredients
👩🍳 Instructions
- Sauté shallots and garlic.
- Mix creamy base.
- Fold in crab + lobster.
- Stuff shells.
- Add topping.
- Bake until golden.
📝 Notes
- Fresh seafood is best, but high-quality frozen works well.
- Add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat.
- Can be assembled a day ahead and baked before serving.
🍽️ Nutrition (Approx per stuffed shell)
- Calories: ~220
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 8g
Conclusion
There’s something magical about seafood dishes during the holidays they feel indulgent, special, and full of celebration. These festive stuffed crab & lobster shells bring all the charm of a French coastal Christmas with the hearty, joyful abundance of American holiday cooking. They’re creamy, bright, buttery, and altogether unforgettable.
From my French-American kitchen to yours, I hope this recipe brings warmth, joy, and a little sparkle to your table. Bon appétit, mon ami! ✨🦞❤️