Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe
Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that everyone loves. But have you ever tried adding crab meat to it? This crab mac and cheese recipe takes the classic dish to a whole new level of deliciousness. It's creamy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor that will leave you wanting more.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of your favorite pasta, such as cavatappi, elbows, rigatoni or tortellini
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
- 4 cups of freshly shredded cheese (mild or sharp cheddar and gruyere)
- 1/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups of milk (whole milk for a thicker, creamier mac and cheese)
- 1/3 cup of heavy cream (optional but highly recommended)
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of yellow mustard
- 12 ounces of cooked crab meat of your choice, reserve 4 ounces for the crumb topping
Crumb Topping:
- 3 tablespoons of melted butter
- 1 1/4 cups of panko bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces of reserved crab meat
- Freshly chopped parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Grease a 9"x12" casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray or butter. Set aside.
- Cook your pasta in salted water according to the box instructions. Reduce the cooking time by 4-5 minutes. You want your pasta slightly undercooked as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt your butter.
- Once melted, add your flour and whisk your flour and butter together over medium heat for 2 minutes. You want your flour to slightly brown and to no longer smell like raw flour.
- Whisk in your milk and cream. Stir the milk and cream constantly until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add in your salt, mustard powder, and cheese.
- Stir in the cooked crab meat, reserving 4 ounces for the crumb topping.
- Combine the melted butter, panko bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese in a small bowl. Mix in the reserved crab meat.
- Spread the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Let the crab mac and cheese cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy!
FAQs:
- Can I use a different type of cheese? Yes, you can use any type of cheese you like. However, using a combination of mild or sharp cheddar and gruyere will give you the best flavor.
- Can I use canned crab meat? Yes, you can use canned crab meat. However, fresh crab meat will give you a better flavor and texture.
- Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes