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A bowl of crab mac and cheese topped with herbs.
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Crab Mac and Cheese

This crab mac and cheese is fresh crab tossed with pasta in a creamy, cheesy sauce. Add a sprinkle of breadcrumbs and fresh herbs for a decadent and elegant meal that's perfect for any special occasion!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 537kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons butter divided use
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 4 cups milk I use whole milk
  • 1 pound corkscrew pasta UNCOOKED, such as cavatappi or cellentani
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked crab meat plus more for garnish if desired
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons chives thinly sliced
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 2 or 3 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the flour, then whisk until combined, about 30 seconds.
  • Pour in the water and whisk until smooth and just starting to thicken.
  • Add the milk and whisk until well combined.
  • Stir in the pasta, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  • Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
  • Turn the heat to low, then stir in the cheeses. Keep stirring until the sauce is smooth.
  • Gently fold in the crab meat. Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  • Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, and stir it into the panko breadcrumbs.
  • Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top of the pasta. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until topping is golden brown.
  • Sprinkle with chives and garnish with addition crab if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  1. This dish is really best with fresh crab meat. Canned crab meat does not have as good of a flavor or texture. 
  2. This recipe calls for uncooked pasta. The pasta is cooked in the milk and water mixture before the cheeses are added. If you try to use cooked pasta, the dish will not turn out properly and will have too much liquid.

Nutrition

Calories: 537kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 694mg | Potassium: 360mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1130IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 639mg | Iron: 1.5mg