Sunday, April 3, 2011

Crab Mac & Cheese

When I saw Lauren's Lobster Mac & Cheese, my mouth was watering.  Although I'm not a fan of lobster (I know, I'm crazy...  but I'm ok with that), my mind immediately created a crab version spiced up with Old Bay.


Now, while I love a good mac & cheese, it's not something I indulge in very often.  This recipe isn't completely without guilt, it's definitely one that won't break the proverbial calorie bank.  Which is a good thing, as it's definitely worth throwing into the rotation for special occasions :)



Crab Mac & Cheese
adapted from Healthy Food for Living
Serves 2-3  (or 6 at a potluck!)

If you really love Old Bay, feel free to use even more than I did.  You could taste it in dish, but I think there was some room for a bit more!  Or perhaps mine isn't quite that fresh?  Add to taste!

4oz dried pasta (rotini, elbows, or whatever you have on hand, I used Barilla Plus rotini)
6oz crab meat (lump, claw... whichever you like)

For the cheese sauce:
1c milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1T butter
2T flour
2oz cave-aged gruyere, finely grated
2-3oz grass-fed cheddar, finely grated
1/2t kosher salt
1t Old Bay Seasoning  (or more, see note above)

For the topping:
1/2T butter
3T whole wheat panko bread crumbs
1T Fiber One crumbs (or more panko)
1/2t Old Bay seasoning

I followed Lauren's directions for the mac and cheese, so check out the original recipe!



Do you have a favorite mac & cheese recipe?

27 comments:

Shannon said...

Crab mac & cheese sounds divine! Though I do enjoy lobster mac & cheese from time to time, it isn't something I'd probably whip up at home so this is a fab idea!

Faith @ lovelyascharged said...

Mac & Cheese is just one of those things that I've never been able to make well on my own - total bummer, because every time I see someone else make it, it turns out fantastic!

Delicious Dishings said...

I do love Old Bay, and this sounds really good! If only I could make crab at home (Jeff is allergic). Love that cheesy goodness!

vanillasugarblog said...

that old bay stuff is so good. i have been known to use it in biscuits.
once in a while we have pasta, i just love it so much and miss it too. lol

Lauren @ Healthy Food For Living said...

I MUST make this crab version! Looks great, Shannon :).

Joanne said...

I love your use of almond milk! I think it tastes so creamy that heavy cream isn't even necessary! I'm not a lobster fan either, but I would totally adore this crab mac and cheese.

Anonymous said...

this is officially a combo of all my favorite things! old bay is the stuff of angels

Elizabeth said...

Crab isn't my thing but I'm fixating on the fusili pasta in this. I don't think I've ever had mac and cheese with that shape of pasta. It would be good.

Bridget said...

This sounds AMAZING!! I love a good lobster mac n cheese but I'd never think to make it my self. This version sounds so good!!

Unknown said...

I love this combo. Is is strange that I often add in tuna to mine? Child hood favorite!

Fun and Fearless in Beantown said...

I've definitely seen and tried lobster mac and cheese but a crab version sounds awesome!

Erica said...

gahhhhhhhh! This looks so good! You don't like lobster?? I <3...but I only eat it when we go back to visit my sister. Hope you have a nice Monday

Elina (Healthy and Sane) said...

I've made and enjoyed Lauren's lobster mac and your twist with the crab and old spice sounds delicious (and a little less pricey!). I'm actually making mac and cheese tomorrow :)

Emily @ A Cambridge Story said...

I am an Old Bay junkie from my college days in Baltimore. This looks soooo good!

We Are Not Martha said...

What a great idea! I do love lobster mac and cheese, so I have a feeling I'd love this, too :) I love making bacon m+c and buffalo chicken m+c. I'm currently looking for a new fun recipe since I just got the Le Creuset mini cocottes : )

Sues

Kristen said...

what a heavenly idea to add crab into this staple meal! I have a butternut squash recipe that i like and I love a good broccoli mac n cheese as well!

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

Crab plus mac & cheese equals deliciousness! Can't wait to make this!

Mary Bergfeld said...

I am a mac n' cheese fan and yours sounds awfully good. This is my first visit to your site and I've spent some time browsing through your earlier entries. I'm so glad I did that. I really like the food and recipes you feature here and I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Anonymous said...

The scrumptious crab and the crispy topping make this mac & cheese totally fabulous! Yum!

Biz said...

My daughter loves my macaroni and cheese. So simple! You just have to remember two!

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups cheese
2 cups dried elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
2 teaspoons olive oil

Melt the butter and flour. Slowly add the milk to make a basic white sauce. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese.

Cook the elbow macaroni according to package directions, and drain.

Add noodles to cheese mixture and pour into prepared baking dish.

Mix the bread crumbs with the olive oil and sprinkle over the top. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly. :D

Kristin said...

this looks super yum and love your photo with the comments! :)

Kim said...

you are KILLING me shannon - mac and cheese! one of my favorite things to eat and i cant have it! BOO!!! i do make a delicious GF lobster mac and cheese... but boy do i miss the real thing!

Amy @ ElephantEats said...

oooh, that looks so tasty!

Unknown said...

Beautiful! That is SUCH a good idea, especially with a spiral pasta which can capture all that sauce in the nooks and crannies.

YUM . . .

Reeni said...

I can not tell you how awesome this looks right now! I need some decadence in my life right now!

Kerstin said...

I'm drooling, this looks SOOOO good! I always order lobster mac&cheese when I see it on restaurant menus and crab sounds just as fabulous!

Alicia said...

Holy Hell - this sounds amazing.

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