Creamy Sushi Bake Recipe Easy Deconstructed California Roll Dish
A comforting and easy-to-make deconstructed California roll baked sushi dish featuring creamy, slightly spicy crab mixture over seasoned sushi rice, perfect for family dinners and potlucks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (370g) sushi or short-grain rice, rinsed and cooked
- 3 tablespoons (45ml) rice vinegar, seasoned with 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces (225g) imitation crab meat (surimi), shredded (or real crab)
- 1 cup (240ml) Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise
- 1–2 tablespoons (15-30ml) sriracha sauce, adjust to taste
- 1 medium cucumber, diced small
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
- 4–6 nori sheets, cut into small strips or crumbled for garnish
- Soy sauce for serving
Instructions
- Rinse 2 cups (370g) sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice in a rice cooker or pot with 2 1/2 cups (600ml) water. Once cooked, transfer to a large bowl.
- While rice is hot, gently fold in 3 tablespoons (45ml) rice vinegar mixed with 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to avoid mashing. Let rice cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes).
- In a bowl, combine 8 ounces (225g) shredded imitation crab, 1 cup (240ml) Japanese mayo, and 1-2 tablespoons (15-30ml) sriracha sauce. Mix until creamy and well blended. Adjust sriracha to your preferred spice level.
- Spread the seasoned rice evenly in the bottom of an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking dish. Layer the diced cucumber and sprinkle sliced green onions on top of the rice.
- Spoon the creamy crab mixture evenly over the rice and veggies, spreading gently. If using shredded cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the crab layer.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the dish for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle nori strips or crumbles over the top. Serve hot with soy sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
Use gentle folding motions when mixing rice with vinegar to keep grains fluffy. Adjust sriracha to control spice level. For a crispier top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end but watch carefully to avoid burning. Use gluten-free soy sauce for gluten-free version. Skip cheese or use plant-based cheese for dairy-free. Leftovers reheat best in oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6th of the d
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 12
Keywords: creamy sushi bake, deconstructed California roll, easy sushi recipe, baked sushi, family dinner, potluck dish, sushi casserole