Alaska Crab Mac And Cheese

Alaska Crab Mac And Cheese
3.5 from 6 ratings
Alaskan crab is in season this January, what better way to indulge that in the form of cheesy, crispy mac and cheese.This recipe comes courtesy of Alaska Seafood.
Servings
4
servings
Ingredients
  • 1 pound lian fusilli or trottole pasta, cooked al dente, drained and kept warm
  • 1 pound crabmeat (2 lbs. alaska king, snow or dungeness crab legs)
  • 2 cup bite-sized pieces of fresh asparagus (about 9 oz.)
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt, substitute garlic salt or onion salt, if desired
  • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 4 cup non-fat or 1% milk, warmed
  • 1 cup shredded gruyere or swiss cheese
  • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 2 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400oF.
  2. In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the salt, pepper and warm milk. Cook and whisk until sauce has thickened and is smooth. Turn heat to lowest setting; stir in cheeses. Turn off heat; continue stirring until sauce is smooth. Gently blend in the pasta, crabmeat and asparagus. Turn mixture into a spray coated 9x13-inch pan or 8 (1-1/2 cup) baking dishes. Blend together breadcrumbs, smoked paprika and thyme; sprinkle evenly over pasta. Bake 20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and topping is browned.