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Crab Macaroni and Cheese in a Dish
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Crab Macaroni and Cheese

Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword crab-macaroni-and-cheese
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 10 servings
Calories 588kcal
Author Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 1 16 oz box dry Cavatappi pasta (Twisted Macaroni)
  • 1 lb jumbo lump crab meat
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp seafood seasoning divided (i.e. Old Bay, Seafood Magic, your favorite)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground mustard
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 oz chive & onion cream cheese softened
  • 5 cups whole milk
  • 5 cups shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese divided
  • Topping:
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp seafood seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Macaroni: Cook the macaroni in salted water per the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, pick over the crab meat removing any shells and cartilage. Set aside.
  • Sauce: In a medium-size heavy bottomed saucepan melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. To the melted butter add flour, 1 1/2 tsp 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 periodically to prevent sticking.
  • Turn off the heat leave saucepan on burner. 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. (If you use a large pot, it can double as the mixing bowl.)
  • Pour the cheese sauce over and mix until fully coated and the crab meat is evenly distributed.
  • Pour 1/2 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 Tbsp butter in a small microwave safe bowl.. Mix with the panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 tsp 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

Each brand of seafood seasoning contains a different amount of sodium. Adjust the amount of salt in this recipe based on the type of seafood seasoning used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 588kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 909mg | Potassium: 322mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1098IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 607mg | Iron: 1mg