Crab Mac and Cheese

Name: Crab Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 200 g elbow macaroni (dried); 0.5 tsp salt (for pasta water); 250 g lump crab meat (picked over for shells, drained); 3 tbsp butter (unsalted); 3 tbsp all-purpose flour; 2 cup milk (whole milk); 150 g sharp cheddar cheese (shredded); 100 g gruyere cheese (shredded); 50 g cream cheese (softened); 1 pcs garlic (clove, minced); 1 tsp dijon mustard; 0.5 tsp old bay seasoning; 1 pinch black pepper; 0.25 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1 tbsp parsley (chopped, for garnish)

RATING

4.6/5(93)

TASTE SCORE

9/10

Decadent, creamy mac and cheese loaded with sweet lump crab meat and a golden, crispy breadcrumb topping. This coastal twist on the classic comfort food feels fancy enough for a dinner party but comes together in under an hour.

PREP

20m

COOK

20m

SERVES

1 CUP

731 cal

SERVINGS

METHOD · 8 STEPS

prep
Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish.
Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 2-quart baking dish.
boil · ~10 min
Boil the macaroni until al dente.
1.Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add salt.
2.Add macaroni and cook 1 minute less than package directions for al dente.
3.Drain well and set aside, but do not rinse.
TIPCooking the pasta slightly under ensures it doesn't get mushy during baking.
saute · ~1 min
Sauté the garlic in butter.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
mix · ~6 min
Build the roux.
1.Whisk flour into the melted butter and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
2.Slowly pour in milk while whisking to prevent lumps.
3.Cook, stirring often, until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon (4-5 min).
TIPWhisk continuously when adding milk — patience here means a silky-smooth sauce.
mix · ~5 min
Melt the cheeses into the sauce.
1.Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar, gruyere, and cream cheese in handfuls, stirring until fully melted.
2.Stir in Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper until combined.
3.Taste and adjust seasoning.
TIPKeep the heat low once cheese is in — high heat makes cheese sauces grainy.
mix · ~2 min
Fold in the crab and pasta.
1.Gently fold drained crab meat into the cheese sauce, being careful not to break up the lumps too much.
2.Add drained macaroni and fold until evenly coated.
3.Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
bake · ~18 min
Add the topping and bake until golden.
1.Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter and mix with panko breadcrumbs.
2.Sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the mac and cheese.
3.Bake for 15-18 minutes until topping is golden brown and edges are bubbling.
rest · ~5 min
Rest briefly, then garnish and serve.
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve hot.
TIPResting helps the sauce set slightly so portions hold their shape.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Pick over crab meat carefully for any stray bits of shell before folding it in.
2
Cook the pasta 1 minute less than al dente so it doesn't turn mushy during baking.
3
Keep the heat low when melting the cheeses to prevent a grainy, separated sauce.
4
Fold the crab gently to preserve nice, big lumps of meat throughout the dish.
5
Let the baked mac and cheese rest 5 minutes before serving so it firms up slightly.
6
For a crunchier topping, broil the breadcrumbs for the last 1-2 minutes.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

gluten free

Gluten-free

Swap the elbow macaroni for a gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. The cheese sauce is naturally gluten-sensitive if you use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

extra crunchy topping