1. Preheat the Oven:

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the oven is ready for baking once your Crab Imperial mixture is prepared.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients:

In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, and lemon juice. Stir in the lightly beaten egg and mix well to ensure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

3. Add Crab Meat:

Gently fold in the lump crab meat and chopped parsley into the wet ingredient mixture. Be careful not to break up the lumps of crab meat too much as you want to keep the texture intact. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.

4. Prepare Baking Dish:

Lightly grease a baking dish or individual ramekins with butter or non-stick cooking spray. This prevents the Crab Imperial from sticking to the dish.

5. Fill the Dish:

Spoon the crab mixture into the prepared baking dish or divide it among the individual ramekins, filling them nearly to the top.

6. Add Topping:

In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese if using. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the crab mixture in the dish or ramekins.

7. Bake:

Place the dish or ramekins in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the mixture is bubbly around the edges.

8. Garnish and Serve:

Once baked, remove the Crab Imperial from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Sprinkle a light dusting of paprika over the top for color and additional flavor. Serve warm.