This post brought to you by Borden Cheese
This creamy Crab Macaroni and Cheese recipe is a very special dish meant for a special occasion. It doubles as both a side dish or an entrée. It's a delicious and budget friendly way to serve crab meat to a crowd with style.
Tried and True Crab Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
For more than 150 years, Borden Cheese has been delivering wholesome dairy goodness to families across the country. Borden Cheese is not only made with pure, wholesome ingredients, but with genuine love from 8,500 American family-owned farms. I'm always a proud supporter of the farms across America and when asked by Borden to create a special dish to share for the holiday season using their cheese I was delighted to partner with them and develop this ooey gooey Crab Macaroni and Cheese.
How to Make Crab Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
When you think of ingredients to include in a meal for a group crab meat probably doesn't come to mind. Quality jumbo lump crab meat is expensive and the challenge is stretching it into a dish that everyone can enjoy. That's precisely how this crab macaroni and cheese came to life. The homemade cheese sauce may look involved, but it's well worth the effort and the "oohs" and "aahs" that are sure to follow.
- What's in crab macaroni and cheese? For this recipe you'll need jumbo lump crab meat, cavatappi or twisted macaroni, shredded cheddar monterey jack cheese, butter, flour, milk, dry mustard, seafood seasoning, garlic salt, black pepper and cream cheese. For the topping you'll need: Panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, melted butter, seafood seasoning and parsley.
- You can use other flavors of cheese to make this dish, if desired. Cheddar cheese, Gruyere cheese, or a mild Colby cheese, if that's your preference.
- How do you serve crab macaroni and cheese? You can serve it as a main dish or a side dish. If you like, you can divide this macaroni and cheese into single serving ramekins for a fun presentation and portion control. When doing so, make sure you adjust the baking time, smaller ramekins wouldn't take quite as long to bake.
- You can fully assemble this macaroni and cheese in advance then cool. cover and chill in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature for 15 minutes, add the breadcrumb topping and bake just before serving.
- How do you reheat crab macaroni and cheese? Gently reheat leftovers on 50% power in the microwave to avoid drying out the crab meat.
Other Easy Crab Recipes to Make
Jumbo Lump Carb meat is a pricey addition to the menu and one that you'll want to make into as many servings as possible. See these other recipes featuring crab to add to your menu plans:
- My Southern style Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes are a special dish for any occasion.
- Mouthwatering Kickin' Crab Salad can double as an appetizer or a main dish meal.
- Bite size Sweet Corn and Crab Puffs are so good you can't stop at just one.
- Elegant Crab Soufflé Recipe from My Recipes
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Crab Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz box dry Cavatappi pasta (Twisted Macaroni)
- 1 lb jumbo lump crab meat
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon seafood seasoning divided (i.e. Old Bay, Seafood Magic, your favorite)
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 oz chive & onion cream cheese softened
- 5 cups whole milk
- 5 cups shredded Borden Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese divided
- Topping:
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon seafood seasoning
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cook the pasta in salted water per the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Pick over the crab meat removing any shells and cartilage. Set aside.
- In a medium-size heavy bottomed saucepan melt ½ cup butter over medium heat.
- To the melted butter add flour, 1 ½ teaspoon seafood seasoning, garlic salt, ground mustard and black pepper. Mix until the flour has been absorbed by the butter stirring constantly.
- Gradually whisk in the milk. Whisk constantly to prevent clumping.
- Bring the milk to a boil then immediately lower the heat to low. Simmer for 3-5 minutes gently bubbling stirring to prevent sticking.
- Turn off the heat. Add cream cheese to the sauce. Stir until melted then add 3 cups of Borden shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Remove from the heat, stirring until melted.
- Add the cooked pasta and crab meat to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the cheese sauce over and mix until fully coated and the crab meat is evenly distributed.
- Pour ½ into the baking dish. Top with 1 cup shredded cheese. Repeat with macaroni then top with the final 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Topping: Melt 2 tablespoon butter in a small microwave safe bowl.. Mix with the panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and ¼ teaspoon seafood seasoning. (Add more or less to your taste) Sprinkle on top.
- Place into the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden and and the edges are bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley just before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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Marcy Grote
yes, canned soups just don't make a recipe. Again, this was awesome!
Marcy Grote
Only difference was imitation crab meat (I know . . . .it's all I had on hand) . . . . everything else was exactly as the recipe stated. This was so good. I picked this recipe because I don't keep canned cream of X soups on hand, I prefer to make sauces from scratch. This recipe did not dissappoint.
Melissa
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, thanks!
Yasi
Made this with my twin sister tonight and WOW was it amazing!!! Thank you for this recipe.
Melissa
I'm so happy you enjoyed it, thanks!
Eddie
I made for this for my family and friends and it was a great hit. I live in Md and always looking for new crab meat recipes.I changed a few little things but not much. Thank you for the recipe and will pass along to everyone.
Melissa
Thanks Eddie, I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Lisa
Made this for a Christmas side dish. People were happy. It’s a keeper!
Melissa
Thanks so much!
Becky
Can you use can crab meat?
Melissa
Sure, if you like it.
Debbie
Can I make the crab Mac and cheese the day before?
Melissa
If by make ahead you mean assemble, chill and then bake before serving, yes. Give it 15-20 minutes at room temperature before baking.
Courtney
This was REALLY good! My only con is that I wish I would have known to squeeze the excess water from the crab meat. I had to bake it a lot longer because of the water.
Melissa
While you do need to drain any liquid from the crab meat, I've never found it necessary to actually squeeze it dry. Did you drain it? If not, you should have to prevent any issues.
Leslie Connie
Damn this dish is the BOMB!!!! My daughter is a pescatarian so I have to make her dishes separately from everyone else's. Everyone was tasting hers!!! She took it off of the table and hid it!! I'm wondering if I can substitute lobster or shrimp sometimes too?
Melissa
Thank you so much, I love it! You certainly can make this dish with lobster. I haven't tested shrimp but, my guess is it would work as well.
joyce
1st time I made it my family loved it!! It was a surprise to the menu❤
A must to any event, party or holiday!! Bon apetit
Nancy Temple
Just made it for dinner tonight!!! Happy New Year but no collards or black eyed peas... tasted as I cooked and know it will be great!
Melissa
Wonderful, hope you enjoyed, Nancy!
Nancy Temple
It was wonderful... will make many more times... lots left over since we were only 3... when it cools will freeze the leftover ... if you want to know how that works will let you know...?might be awhile
Melissa
This freezes quite well, but, yes please share any tips if you think about it, as it often helps others.
Annette
Can you add shrimp in with the crab? I have been looking for a easy shrimp and crab mac and cheese recipe. Also can I leave out the mustard.
Melissa
I suppose you could. I wouldn't recommend using a tiny shrimp as they will cook far too quickly and may turn out rubbery.
Suzanne
This was delicious and an easy roux to make. I’m allergic to mustard (it’s also in the spice mix of Old Bay) so I just amped up the garlic and black pepper.
This makes a crowd feeding casserole dish.
Definitely putting in my Mac and Cheese rotations.
Melissa
Thanks so much!
kitchens city
This look amazing!!! i love mac and cheese. I am totally trying this tomorrow night! Love this recipe.It is easy and simple. I will definitely try it
Melissa
Thanks so much!
Karen
Have you ever tried to freeze this? Looking for recipes for my daughter to prep and take to college.
She loves crab mac -n-cheese.
Melissa
I haven't but, I expect it would do fine
Anita
Thank you for recipes, I enjoy your page.
Melissa
Welcome Anita, visit often!