Baked Crab Macaroni and Cheese
Author: 
Recipe type: Main Course
Cuisine: Seafood, Comfort Food, Pasta
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4-6
 
This Mac and Cheese recipe combines the decadence of lump crab meat and freshly grated gourmet cheeses with the homey comfort of traditional baked mac and cheese.
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces elbow pasta
  • 8 ounces lump crab meat, cooked and coursely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ medium sweet yellow onion
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • 1 cup traditional bread crumbs
  • ¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ¾ cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup fresh chives, finely chopped
  • ⅛ cup all purpose flour
  • ⅛ cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease baking dishes using butter or non-stick cooking spray. Use a single 1.5 Quart dish, or use smaller ramekins for single-serve portions.
  2. Salt pasta water and bring to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and set aside. While the pasta cooks, grate the cheeses (if necessary) and finely dice the chives.
  3. Melt 2 Tbsp of butter in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic, and cook on medium heat until onion is translucent, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add the white wine and cook for an additional minute.
  5. Add flour and whisk the mixture until a paste is formed, about 30 seconds.
  6. Begin slowly adding the milk while continually whisking. Once the milk has been added, continue whisking the sauce until smooth. Reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Add the grated cheese and whisk together until all the cheese has melted. Remove the pan from the heat, and add in the remaining ingredients (dijon, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and chives).
  8. Once all ingredients have been incorporated, fold in crab meat and cooked pasta. Then, spoon into baking dishes.
  9. Using a small pot, melt the remaining one tablespoon of butter. Remove from heat, then mix in the breadcrumbs. Spoon over mac and cheese and coat evenly.
  10. Bake uncovered at 375° F for 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of your baking dishes. Look for the bread crumbs turning golden brown and the sauce bubbling. Remove from oven, let cool slightly before digging in.
  11. Enjoy!
Recipe by hOhm Cooking at https://hohmcooking.com/2015/12/01/baked-crab-macaroni-and-cheese/