Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

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Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe (1)This fancy-fied mac and cheese casserole makes a lovely dinner party dish or Thanksgiving side dish. It’s an amalgamation of a classic gnocchi gratin and crab mac and cheese recipe, offering a bit of cozy luxury.

Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe (2)

Several months ago I had the opportunity to visit San Francisco.

I adored walking the hills, observing the intricate architecture, breathing in the ocean air, and visiting quirky shops and galleries.

Other than the ocean air, it reminded me of a larger Asheville and I felt right at home.

Of all the wonderful things I saw and experienced in San Francisco, the thing that stuck out to me the most was the incredible food culture.

Everywhere I looked wonderful things were being grown, caught, baked, churned, crafted, and cured. I couldn’t possibly begin to tell you all the delightful things I tasted.

Just know, there was a lot of cheese, chocolate, sourdough bread, and an episode with salami in a cone.

I can, however, fully describe the dish that was the most memorable, a Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe.

At a little waterfront restaurant, we ate the most decadent mac and cheese casserole with large succulent chunks of crab meat nestled within.

As I looked out at the bay, I savored every bite and took mental notes so I could come home and recreate such a dish.

This fall, I experimented with various Crab Mac and Cheesecasseroles and finally determined I would like this luxurious dish even more, if I switched the standard macaroni noodles to gnocchi.

Creamy gnocchi gratin is another favorite splurge, so it only made sense to combine the two.

This Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe made with tender pillows of gnocchi, sweet crab meat, gruyere, and havarti cheese, has the essence of both a well-made gnocchi gratin and a baked mac and cheese casserole.

Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe (9)

That means it delivers both the sense of intense luxury and down-home comfort. What could be better than that?

To top it all, it has a touch of warm spicy nutmeg that pairs so well with both the seafood and cheeses.

This Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe would make a show-stopping addition to your Thanksgiving table, as well as a opulent main course for an intimate holiday dinner party.

If planning the latter, I suggest serving it with a warm spinach and pear salad and a glass of something bubbly!

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Classic Gnocchi Gratin with Gruyere, Havarti and Crab Meat.

Servings: 10

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place a large pot of salted water over high heat. Bring to a boil, and cooked the gnocchi according to the package instructions.

  • Drain the gnocchi and place in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add the crab meat and mix.

  • In a large sauce pot (could be the same used for pasta) melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour followed by the garlic and lemon zest. Cook for another minute, then add the half and half and whisk until smooth.

  • Once the mixture is warm, add the cheeses. Stir to blend, then add the salt, pepper and nutmeg. Once smooth, taste for salt (add more if needed) and pour the cheese mixture over the crab and gnocchi. Mix and smooth in the baking dish.

  • Then melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and toss with the bread crumbs. Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs, and bake for 20-30 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the top is golden.

  • Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 569kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Cholesterol: 137mg, Sodium: 1133mg, Potassium: 267mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 895IU, Vitamin C: 2.6mg, Calcium: 523mg, Iron: 4.2mg

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

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Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can you add to mac and cheese to make it taste better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Your Macaroni and Cheese Dinners
  1. Add extra cheese to your dish.
  2. Mix in some hot sauce and chicken to make buffalo chicken mac n' cheese.
  3. Add in vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and spinach.
  4. Sprinkle some bacon bits or breadcrumbs on the top of your dish.
  5. Add spices and fresh herbs to your dish.
May 21, 2022

What cheese pairs well with crab? ›

Crab canapé with chili mango chutney and wakame

Additionally, crab's fruity peach-like notes enable us to combine it with certain cheeses like mozzarella, gruyère and cheddar.

How does Gordon Ramsay make the best mac and cheese? ›

Preparation
  1. In a large pot over medium heat, combine the pasta and milk. ...
  2. Once the pasta is cooked, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper. ...
  3. Divide between serving bowls and top with the bread crumbs.
  4. Enjoy!
  5. All your favorite recipes, stored in one place.
May 4, 2023

What is a thickening agent for macaroni and cheese? ›

Flour or cornstarch can both thicken a liquid. In a small separate bowl, mix a tablespoon of either flour or cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cheese sauce until the mixture is smooth. Add the mixture back to the milky cheese sauce, and stir until combined and desired thickness is achieved.

How do you add depth of flavor to mac and cheese? ›

Brown the Butter

Browned butter is the secret ingredient to multi-dimensional flavor in both baked goods and savory dishes. It adds richness and depth of flavor to boxed mac and cheese—and all it takes is a few extra minutes on the stovetop.

What is the best cheese to use for macaroni and cheese? ›

What Is the Best Cheese for Mac and Cheese? Sharp cheddar is the overwhelming popular choice, but for extra-creamy results, we think medium cheddar is even better. Other delicious options include Gruyère, smoked Gouda, and Monterey Jack.

What brings out the flavor of crab? ›

If you plan to boil or steam your crab legs, your first option is to use the water to impart extra flavor. Don't be shy about adding salt, pepper, lemon juice and lemon rinds, or the classic Old Bay seasoning to your pot before boiling or steaming your crab legs.

Why not mix seafood and cheese? ›

Andrea and I agree that the habit of not mixing fish and cheese most probably stems from the fact that, for the most part, fish and seafood tend to have a more subtle, delicate flavor which can easily be overpowered by that of many kinds of cheese.

What's the most expensive mac and cheese? ›

Mac and Cheese

Made by Chef Josian Citrin at Santa Monica restaurant Mélisse, the dish is a white truffle tagliatelle whose price varies between $115 and $130, depending on the quality of the imported Italian truffles.

How to make Shaq mac and cheese? ›

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. In a large pot of boiling water, cook macaroni with oil and salt until al dente. Drain.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt margarine over low heat. Add flour. ...
  4. Add cooked macaroni to sauce. Stir over low heat for 1 minute. ...
  5. Pour mixture into a large greased casserole dish or baking pan.

Why do people put flour in their mac and cheese? ›

Butter and flour: This makes our roux, which thickens the cheese sauce. Milk: Keeps our cheese sauce super creamy. I use whole milk or reduced-fat milk.

What can you add to mac and cheese to make it thicker? ›

Unsalted Butter + All-Purpose Flour: The combination of these creates a roux, which thickens the cheese sauce. Milk: The base of the cheese sauce! I recommend using whole milk for a richer, thicker sauce, but 2% will also work.

Why isn't my mac and cheese creamy? ›

If, for some reason it doesn't e.g., it's cooled down too much, then it's easy to fix. Warm up the mac and cheese again on the stove top, add a little milk or cream, and give it a good stir. Add milk and cream a tablespoon at a time and fully incorporate it to find the creamy texture you're looking for.

What to do if mac and cheese is bland? ›

Try adding a little more salt first, because that might fix it. If the problem was the cheese you use doesn't have much flavor, then try adding some other flavors, such has mustard or hot sauce. The next time you make it, try to find some more strongly flavor cheese, or adding more cheese.

How can I make my mac and cheese better? ›

10 ways to take mac 'n' cheese to the next level:
  1. Make the sauce with brown butter.
  2. Add evaporated milk.
  3. Choose the right cheese.
  4. Choose the perfect pasta.
  5. Double up on breadcrumbs.
  6. Boost the flavour with Marmite.
  7. A hit of heat.
  8. Extra seasoning.

What is the most common thing added to mac and cheese? ›

Breadcrumbs. Crispy and golden breadcrumbs are the most traditional addition to mac and cheese. The interplay of texture between soft pasta and rich, buttery breadcrumbs is the reason why this combination has endured the test of time.

How do you make refrigerated mac and cheese taste better? ›

Add 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of mac and cheese and mix to incorprate as much as possible. *If you'd like to add more creaminess and flavor, substitute half-and-half or cream. 3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place in the oven at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through.

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