Name: Crab Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow pasta noodles; 3 tbsp butter; 3 tbsp flour; 2 cups whole milk; 2 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar and your favorite cheese); ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp pepper; ¼ tsp smoked paprika; 6 oz can white crab meat; ⅓ cup panko bread crumbs

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This Crab Mac and Cheese is made with tender crab meat, elbow noodles, cheddar cheese, and a simple homemade cheese sauce, then baked until hot and bubbly with a crispy panko topping. It’s a creamy seafood pasta recipe you can make in 35 minutes.

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It’s perfect for family dinners, Sunday meals, holiday gatherings, or when you’re having friends and family over.

And for more seafood recipes, the recipes below are worth trying:

Ingredients You’ll Need:

1 lb elbow pasta noodles
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
2 cups whole milk
2 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese, or a mix of cheddar and your favorite cheese
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ tsp smoked paprika
6 oz can white crab meat
⅓ cup panko bread crumbs

How to Make Crab Mac and Cheese

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a large baking dish and set it aside.

Cook the elbow noodles according to the package directions in a large pot of water. Drain well, return the noodles to the pot, and set aside.

Step 2: Heat a medium pot over medium heat and melt the butter.

Step 3: Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk while continuing to whisk until the sauce is smooth and free of lumps.

Step 4: Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.

Step 5: Stir in 1 cup of the grated cheese and continue stirring until melted and creamy.

Step 6: Add the crab meat, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir gently to combine.

Step 7: Pour the cheese and crab sauce over the cooked noodles. Stir until all of the pasta is nicely coated.

Step 8: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.

Step 9: Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, followed by the panko bread crumbs.

Step 10: Bake for 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly with a lightly golden topping.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Important Recipe Notes

Do not overcook the pasta: Cook the elbow noodles just until tender. They will continue cooking in the oven, so slightly firm pasta works best.
Use good-quality crab meat: Canned white crab meat works well for this recipe. Drain it well before adding it to the cheese sauce so the mac and cheese does not become watery.
Grate your own cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts more smoothly and gives the sauce a creamier texture.
Keep stirring the cheese sauce: Whisk the milk into the flour and butter slowly to help prevent lumps. Stir while the sauce thickens.
Once the crab meat is added, stir gently so the crab stays in nice pieces instead of breaking apart too much.
Watch the baking time: The mac and cheese only needs about 15 minutes in the oven. Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the panko topping is lightly golden.
Let it cool briefly before serving: Give the mac and cheese a few minutes to rest after taking it out of the oven. This helps the creamy sauce settle and makes it easier to serve.

Prep Time:5

Cook Time:30

Total Time:35

Ingredients

1 lb elbow pasta noodles
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
2 cups whole milk
2 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese or a mix of cheddar and your favorite cheese
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ tsp smoked paprika
6 oz can white crab meat
⅓ cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a large baking dish and set it aside.
Cook the elbow noodles according to the package directions in a large pot of water. Drain well, return the noodles to the pot, and set aside.
Heat a medium pot over medium heat and melt the butter.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes. Slowly pour in the milk while continuing to whisk until the sauce is smooth and free of lumps.
Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
Stir in 1 cup of the grated cheese and continue stirring until melted and creamy.
Add the crab meat, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir gently to combine.
Pour the cheese and crab sauce over the cooked noodles. Stir until all of the pasta is nicely coated.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, followed by the panko bread crumbs.
Bake for 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly with a lightly golden topping.
Serve warm and enjoy!