Easy Sushi Bake Recipe: Irresistible 40-Minute Favorite

Name: Easy Sushi Bake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb imitation crab; 4 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup Kewpie mayo (plus extra for topping); 2 tbsp sriracha (plus extra for topping); 4 cups sushi rice, cooked; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 3 tbsp furikake seasoning; Green onions, chopped (for garnish); Nori sheets (for serving)

Jump to Recipe

If you love sushi but don’t love the rolling, slicing, and “why is my rice sticking to everything?” drama, this Easy Sushi Bake Recipe is about to make your life so much simpler. Think of it as sushi’s cozy casserole cousin. All the flavors you crave—creamy, spicy, savory—layered in one warm, scoopable dish.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, last-minute potlucks, or those evenings when takeout sounds tempting but the budget says, “Let’s cook at home.” It’s quick (just 40 minutes total), comforting, and honestly? A little addictive.

As someone who believes cooking should bring joy—not stress—I love recipes like this. You mix, layer, bake, and boom. Dinner is served. No sushi mat required.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Sushi Bake Recipe

There’s a reason this Easy Sushi Bake Recipe has become a viral favorite.

No rolling required. Skip the fancy techniques.
Budget-friendly ingredients. Imitation crab keeps things affordable.
Family-approved. Even picky eaters tend to devour this.
Great for gatherings. One pan feeds six hungry people.
Make-ahead friendly. It tastes amazing warm… and even better the next day.

It’s comfort food with a sushi twist. And your kitchen will smell like a cozy Japanese-inspired café.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything that goes into this creamy, spicy layered bake:

1 lb imitation crab
4 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup Kewpie mayo (plus extra for topping)
2 tbsp sriracha (plus extra for topping)
4 cups cooked sushi rice
1 tbsp rice vinegar
3 tbsp furikake seasoning
Chopped green onions (for garnish)
Nori sheets (for serving)

Simple ingredients. Big flavor payoff.

How to Make This Easy Sushi Bake Recipe

1. Prep Your Oven and Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Gather everything first. Trust me, this makes the whole process smoother—especially if dinner prep is happening between homework help and answering emails.

2. Make the Creamy Crab Layer

Shred the imitation crab into a bowl. An easy trick? Roll each stick between your hands and pull apart the strands. It separates beautifully.

Add:

Softened cream cheese
Kewpie mayo
Sriracha

Mix until creamy and well combined. It should look slightly fluffy and lightly pink from the sriracha.

Set aside.

3. Prepare the Sushi Rice

If your rice is freshly cooked, perfect. While it’s still warm, gently fold in the rice vinegar. Warm rice absorbs flavor better.

If using leftover rice, warm it up first before adding the vinegar. This makes a big difference in texture.

Spread the rice evenly into a baking dish (an 11×7 works great, but a 9×13 is fine too). Press it down firmly so it forms a solid base.

Sprinkle half of the furikake seasoning over the rice.

4. Layer and Top

Spread the crab mixture evenly over the rice layer.

Sprinkle the remaining furikake on top.

Drizzle extra Kewpie mayo and sriracha over everything. Don’t be shy. Those little zigzags bake into creamy, spicy goodness.

5. Bake to Perfection

Bake for 25 minutes.

The top should look slightly golden and bubbly around the edges.

Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions.

Serve warm with nori sheets for scooping.

And just like that, sushi night is transformed.

Easy Sushi Bake Recipe served as a plated slice with creamy imitation crab, sushi rice, sriracha drizzle, green onions, and nori sheets — This Easy Sushi Bake Recipe is served in thick, scoopable layers of seasoned sushi rice and creamy crab topping, finished with sriracha, green onions, and crispy nori.

How to Serve It (And Make It Fun!)

Scoop a spoonful onto a nori sheet and fold it like a taco. It’s casual, interactive, and perfect for family dinners.

Hosting friends? Cut the nori into smaller squares and let everyone build their own little sushi bites. It’s always a hit at parties—especially 4th of July gatherings or game nights.

Easy Add-Ins and Variations

One thing I love about this Easy Sushi Bake Recipe is how flexible it is.

Here are some favorite additions:

Cooked shrimp for extra protein
Fresh salmon (baked or pan-seared first)
Sliced avocado for creaminess
Diced cucumber for crunch
Eel sauce drizzle for a sweet-savory finish
Wasabi seaweed wraps for a spicy kick

One time, I added avocado and cucumber because that’s what I had in the fridge. My family practically hovered around the pan. There were zero leftovers. That’s when I knew this one was staying in our regular rotation.

Tips for the Best Sushi Bake

Let’s make this foolproof.

Press the rice firmly.
This helps it hold together when scooping.

Cool rice with a fan while mixing.
This keeps it from turning mushy and gives it that classic sushi texture.

Don’t overbake.
You want it heated through, not dried out.

Like it spicy?
Add extra sriracha or mix a little into the rice layer too.

If the top looks extra creamy and saucy, don’t panic. That’s not a mistake—that’s flavor settling in.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

This dish is fantastic for meal prep.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave in short bursts.
Or enjoy it cold—some people actually prefer it that way!

It’s perfect for packing into lunch containers. Just bring nori sheets separately so they stay crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Easy Sushi Bake Recipe without cream cheese?

Yes! It still holds together surprisingly well. The texture will be slightly less creamy, but still delicious.

Can I use regular mayonnaise instead of Kewpie?

You can, but Kewpie gives it that richer, slightly tangy flavor. If using regular mayo, add a tiny splash of rice vinegar to mimic that taste.

What can I use instead of furikake seasoning?

Crushed seaweed, sesame seeds, or even a mix of both works beautifully.

Can I freeze sushi bake?

Freezing isn’t recommended. The rice texture changes too much after thawing.

Is this good for kids?

Absolutely. You can reduce the sriracha if little ones aren’t fans of spice. Many families say this becomes a regular dinner request.

A Little Personal Note

This Easy Sushi Bake Recipe saved me during one of those weeks where everything felt scheduled down to the minute. I needed something comforting but simple. No complicated steps. No last-minute grocery runs.

I put this together while chatting in the kitchen, and the aroma alone felt like a reward. When everyone went back for seconds, I knew it was a keeper.

That’s my favorite kind of recipe. Minimal effort. Maximum smiles.

Bringing It All Together

There’s something special about a dish that feels fun but doesn’t require fancy skills. This Easy Sushi Bake Recipe delivers bold sushi flavors in the easiest way possible—layer, bake, scoop, enjoy.

It’s creamy, a little spicy, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for busy nights when time is short but you still want something homemade and comforting.

Whether you keep it classic or load it up with shrimp, avocado, and cucumber, this Easy Sushi Bake Recipe is one of those meals that disappears fast. And honestly? That’s the best compliment any home-cooked dish can get.

Now grab those nori sheets and dig in. Dinner just got a whole lot easier.

More Cozy Favorites to Try Next

If this Easy Sushi Bake Recipe earned a spot in your dinner rotation, here are a few more comforting, flavor-packed dishes to keep things exciting in your kitchen. Whether you’re planning a full spread or just looking for your next easy win, these pair beautifully with sushi bake nights:

Brighten up the table with this fresh and crunchy Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad — it’s the perfect balance to the creamy, savory layers.
Hosting friends or planning a fun family dinner? Scoop up some Easy Mexican Street Corn Dip alongside your sushi bake for a crowd-pleasing combo.
Love sweet and savory flavors? You’ll definitely want to try Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken for another effortless dinner win.
Craving more takeout-style comfort at home? Crockpot Chicken Lo Mein brings those cozy noodle vibes with hardly any effort.
Curious to see another spin on this viral favorite? Take a peek at this delicious version of Sushi Bake by Moribyan for extra inspiration.

There’s nothing better than having a handful of dependable, flavor-packed meals ready to go — especially the kind that make busy nights feel just a little more special.