Description
Crab Mac and Cheese is a luxurious twist on a classic comfort food. This creamy, cheesy pasta dish is enriched with fresh lump crab meat, delivering a sumptuous flavor with every bite. Topped with a crunchy breadcrumb crust, it’s perfect for cozy family dinners or festive gatherings. Easy to make and endlessly adaptable, this dish is sure to impress your guests and become a staple at your table!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup fresh lump crab meat
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Cook the elbow macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Create the roux: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for about two minutes until smooth.
- Add dairy: Gradually whisk in milk, stirring until thickened (5-7 minutes).
- Melt in cheeses: Remove from heat and stir in cheddar and Parmesan until melted. Add spices for flavor.
- Combine crab: Gently fold in lump crab meat into the cheese sauce.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix cooked macaroni with cheese sauce in a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg