The surgery I had a few weeks ago kind of knocked me on my rear for a bit. First, I had a reaction to the pain medication. Then, after a few weeks of feeling like absolute crud, I went back into the doctor and discovered I had an infection and was anemic. That pretty much explained why I just wanted to nap all day long, was so moody and couldn’t get up the motivation to do anything. Least of all, cook!
I finally started on an antibiotic this week and feel so much better. My level of energy is way up and my mood has improved as well. And, I finally feel like cooking (and blogging) again!
After weeks of eating out, it felt great to get back into the kitchen. What felt even better was having the first recipe I made, this Crabby Mac and Cheese, be an absolute hit. My husband stated, after chowing down on one serving “This could stand head to head with any of the seafood Mac & Cheese recipes I’ve had in some of the finest restaurants in Boston.” That made my day!
I’m sharing this incredible Crab Mac & Cheese recipe as part of Mac & Cheese Mania, hosted by my two friends, Rachel from Rachel Cooks and Brandy from Nutmeg Nanny. I hope you’ll visit both their blogs to check out the over 50 different Mac & Cheese recipes submitted by bloggers!
Also, once you visit their sites, you can find out how to enter to win over $1800 in fabulous prizes. Prizes include Door to Door Organics Gift Cards, OXO Gift Baskets, Zak Designs Prize Pack, a year’s supply of Cabot cheese, a Vermont Creamery gift basket, a risotto kit from Marx Foods, Barilla pasta, Anolon Advanced Bronze 4.5 Qt. Tapered Stockpot, Rachael Ray Stoneware Casseroval, Wusthof CLASSIC Studio Block Set, Microplane Graters and Kitchen Tools, a SavorX Starter Block with spices and Le Cordon Bleu by Swissmar oven to table roasters.
Click over to Rachel Cooks and Nutmeg Nanny to enter to win!
Now, are you ready for this most AMAZING Crab Mac & Cheese Recipe? I made several adaptations to this Lobster Macaroni and Cheese recipe from the Food Network and I feel like I have an absolute winner. I hope you enjoy!
Crab Seafood Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter plus 1 tablespoon for greasing dish
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound penne pasta I prefer Delallo Foods Penne Pasta
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 4 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon Zatarain's Big & Zesty original Creole seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 pound block Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 pound block Fontina cheese
- 1 pound crab meat or imitation crab meat, chopped
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and brush a 9x13 inch baking dish to grease.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain water from pasta and reserve.
- Meanwhile, add 4 tablespoons butter to a large pot over medium heat. Once the butter is melted, add the garlic and sauté until translucent.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the tomato paste and flour and stir, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and reduce by half, about 1 minute. Slowly add the cream, whisking well to remove any lumps.
- Add the paprika, cayenne, Creole seasoning and bay leaves.
- Bring the cream up to a simmer. Let cook until the cream is thick and can coat a spoon, about 5 minutes. When thickened, remove the bay leaves with a slotted spoon.
- Stir in the cubed cheeses, a handful at a time, stirring well after each addition.
- Add the chopped crab meat to the sauce and stir well.
- Add the cooked pasta and stir well.
- Carefully pour into buttered baking dish and sprinkle with panko crumbs.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
I have been seeing lobster mac n’ cheese EVERYWHERE. I love that you made a WAY more affordable version! This looks fab lady!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling better. Feeling like crud is the pits. I think this crabby mac and cheese could cure just about anything. Pinned and shared!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
I’m so happy that you are feeling better. I absolutely love crab and now that you paired it with pasta I’m in love.
Ali | Gimme Some Oven says
Gorgeous photos, Kristen! And I LOVE crab mac and cheese — sounds wonderful!
So glad to hear that you’re feeling better too. 🙂
Les in NE says
Oh.My.Goodness! We recently discovered Crab Mac & Cheese at a neighborhood bistro last month and after reading your recipe, I know this will be a huge hit with my husband (and me!). We’re trying to eat healthier, but seafood’s good for you, right? 😉 Can’t wait to try this, Kristen. Thanks!
So glad to hear you’re feeling better!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
Holy heck this is the real deal!!!! I love the creole seasoning addition – I need to use that more often in my life!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
So happy to hear that you are doing better! This crab mac and cheese looks like a dreamy welcome back to the kitchen. DEFINITELY a winner 🙂
cassie says
So so glad you are feeling better and back to whipping out recipes. I adore this one, Kristen!
Sarah says
Uhm… WOW! I love me some crab and can’t wait to taste it in this Mac! This sounds so delicious I can barely stand it.
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
I’m sorry to hear about your bad luck after surgery, that happened to me too, no fun at all!
This is my idea of a perfect special treat, patio and wine worthy!
Amy @Very Culinary says
So glad to hear you’re feeling better. Yay for drugs and Mac and Cheese. LOVE this one!
Sues says
Delicious!! And now I want to know which Boston restaurants your husband has had amazing seafood mac and cheese dishes at 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Oh no! I hope you’re back to fully normal soon. That totally sucks. 🙁
This mac and cheese? Totally does NOT suck. I NEEEEEEEED it!
rachel says
Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous!
I adore lobster mac and cheese and crab mac and cheese, and having just returned from NOLA – I’m all over seafood right now.
Delicious recipe, Kristen! Glad you’re doing better <3
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
Glad to hear you are feeling better! I fell yesterday and severely sprained my ankle, so I am couch ridden right now. I am going crazy after just 2 days! I can’t imagine what your last couple weeks have been like. This mac n’ cheese looks like pure heaven. Creamy, indulgent, and has crab!
Heather @ French Press says
now this is crabby that I can handle – oh my YUM
Tieghan says
So happy you are feeling better. That must have been really tough, but I am glad you are back! And back with a bang! This mac and cheese is calling my name. It looks to die for!
gorras new era says
Good Blog … your blog is very helpful…
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
Crab + Mac and Cheese = My heaven
simple green moms says
ohhh goodness! so glad we stumbled across this recipe! And your blog… love it =)
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Everything about this Mac and Cheese is perfect. YUM!
Amanda says
I’m loving these Mac ‘N Cheese recipes y’all are doing! So craving these now! 🙂
TidyMom says
this looks delicious Kristen!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I’m so glad that you’re feeling better! Love this Crab mac and cheese, I would gobble that up in a heart beat!
Kim Beaulieu says
This looks absolutely delicious Kristen. Glad to hear you’re feeling better too. xx
Laurie {Simply Scratch} says
This looks insanely good, Kristen! Glad to hear that you’re on the mend 🙂
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
I’ll have to bookmark this recipe for my fiances birthday! He LOVES seafood and macaroni and cheese! I could make mine vegetarian and just leave out the crab!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
Gosh, I am glad to hear you are feeling better too, especially with 4 kids. I live in Washington State in a town on salt water. We have crabs! I have had lobster mac and cheese. But hey why bring a shell fish all the way from the east coast.
El says
I’m sorry to hear about your being sick. Thank goodness for antibiotics- glad you’re on the mend. The mac and cheese should help with recovery. Looks great!
merry lu says
OH MY! You probably don’t know this about e, but I am CRAZY about anything CRAB! It’s relative unavailability is about the only thing I don’t like about living in KS. I will definitely be making this. SOON! (Though I will have to substitute Old Bay for the Zattarran’s. You can’t take all the Maryland out of the Kansas girl. 🙂
merry lu says
P.S. I am so glad you are finally feeling better, I know it’s no fun to be down for so long. (((HUGS)))
Heidi @foodiecrush says
Seriously, I could sit with your husband and we could probably both extoll the virtues of your mac n cheese. Look at that velvet cheese layer! I’m happy our mac flavorings both headed to the crustacean regions. Must be something in the water. XO
Rachel Cooks says
I’m so glad you’re feeling better! And thanks for helping us kick off mac and cheese mania (and for all your great advice re: the event!). I’m not a huge seafood fan but I’m pretty sure I could devour a bowl of this! Looks phenomenal!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
I’m sorry you haven’t been well. 🙁 I’m happy to hear that the medicine is helping, though! And this mac and cheese is amazing. Don’t you just love it when stuff works out the first time? Such a rarity around here so I cherish those moments. 😉
Dawn says
This looks delicious! We love mac and cheese at our house and crab. I’ve had it before in restaurants, but have never made it. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Jackie says
Very interesting idea – I always fool around with my mac ‘n cheese, but crab is something I never thought to add. Intriguing idea, thanks much!
Lianna says
God, my mouth is watering just looking at the pic! Wil Make as Soon As I Can…
Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky says
This is absolutely magnificent, scrumptious, delicious, super yummy crab macaroni and cheese. Thx Kristen!
Bella Hardy @ Healthnerdy says
Oh, my! This crab macaroni and cheese was delicious – and so easy to make! Thanks so much!
Robin Hamilton @Wellness Wires says
That crab macaroni and cheese looked soooo good, I had to try and make them. I used your suggestion and used Kosher salt.
Kristen says
Yay! So glad you liked it, Robin! Thanks for letting me know!