Crab Macaroni and Cheese recipe
pictured: Cathy’s homemade Crab Macaroni and Cheese recipe
Have you ever wondered how to make crab macaroni and cheese? Well, it’s really easy! If you love comfort food, and you love shellfish, and you love mac and cheese, then this is the dish for you!
I love, love, love macaroni and cheese. I also love Crab! Together, they make a grown-up version of every kid’s favorite meal from a box; without the box, and using real cheese.
In order to make my Crab Macaroni and Cheese at home, I use my personal macaroni and cheese recipe, then I add crab. It’s really easy. If you prefer substituting something in lieu of the crab, you can switch out the crab for lobster or shrimp. They both result in really yummy, grown up versions of macaroni and cheese! Yum!
How to make Crab Macaroni and Cheese. Start off by making homemade macaroni and cheese. Here is my recipe:
Cathy’s homemade macaroni and cheese recipe:
- 1 lb. box of Barilla Elbow pasta cooked (you can use any brand-this is my preferred brand)
- 16 oz. shredded Kraft Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese.
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
Mix together the cooked pasta, Paprika, and shredded cheese. Place mixture in a large casserole. Cover and bake at 375 degrees, non-convection, for 25 minutes.
While the macaroni and cheese is baking, you can cook your crab mixture. You will need:
- 1 lb. crab (shelled) (I buy it pre-shelled from the butcher) (Sub: lobster or small shrimp if you prefer)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup pure virgin olive oil (the real stuff tastes best!)
- 3 crushed garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup chopped or diced onion (cut to your preference-I prefer diced)
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
In a mixing bowl, mix all of these ingredients together until they are blended. Pour mixture into a medium saucepan and cook until the crab is done, and the butter is nicely melted.
After 25 minutes in the oven, remove the macaroni and cheese casserole, but leave your oven on, and the door closed. Uncover the macaroni and cheese. Smooth your crab mixture over the top of the macaroni and cheese. I always leave a section bare because my oldest daughter doesn’t like fish, so she only eats the plain macaroni and cheese. You can cover half, like I do, or you can put shrimp on one side, and crab on the other. The mixture is large enough to cover the entire top if you decide to not leave a portion blank.
When the top of the macaroni and cheese is covered by the crab mixture, cover the casserole dish and bake at 375 for another 10 minutes.
Before you serve the Crab Macaroni and Cheese, please let it cool for 5-10 minutes in the covered casserole dish, outside the oven. I leave the casserole on my cooktop. Then, serve it up!
My kids love my homemade Crab Macaroni and Cheese, I hope you do too! It is a delicious comfort food which is perfect for cooler weather. ‘Tis the season for comfort food!
This is also a great dish to make for holiday pot luck parties, or if you are throwing a large party at home. Although I serve it as a main course to my family, for a large party, it can be a hearty side dish in a buffet.
I hope you enjoy it. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.
Kitchen tools you might need to make this recipe:
Thanks for stopping by!
XOXO
Cathy
