Crab Mac and Cheese
This Crab Mac and Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort food made with tender crab meat, elbow pasta, and a rich homemade cheese sauce. Topped with more melted cheese and crispy panko breadcrumbs. It’s an easy seafood dinner for holidays and gatherings.
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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!
Servings: 8
Calories: 650kcal