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!

Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe (12)

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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 cheese goes well with crab meat? ›

Lobster and crab go well with creamy, buttery cheeses like brie and camembert.

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 are the 3 best cheeses for mac 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 food Cannot mix with crab? ›

Tea and persimmon contain tannins, which have been found to make protein harder to digest. So when tea and persimmon are eaten with crab, which is rich in protein, we might experience indigestion.

Why do you soak crab meat in milk? ›

The milk pulls out any excess fishy taste. But if you don't have the time, just dip the crabs in milk right before coating them in flour (the milk also helps the flour stick).

What are the best 5 cheeses for mac and cheese? ›

Gruyere is a classic addition because it melts much like Cheddar, but has a lovely nutty flavor. Other classics include Gouda, Muenster, Parmesan, fontina, Havarti and Monterey Jack. Brie works well too, just make sure you remove the rind before mixing it in.

Which cheese is better for mac and cheese? ›

For a mac and cheese recipe, consider the combination of sharper cheddar cheeses and a flavorful Parmesan. This cheese adds a boost of fruity, nutty notes to your favorite macaroni recipes. Parmesan is also ideal for grating on top of mac and cheese before you bake it to add golden color.

What is the most perfect cheese to use on Mac & cheese? ›

A few favorites are mild to medium cheddars, Colby, Jack, and American cheeses. I like to use a sharp cheddar (not very sharp or extra sharp) as it's a blend of a taste I like and it's an okay melter and doesn't separate. However, using an excellent melting cheese allows use of an extra sharp cheddar in small amounts.

Is Velveeta real cheese? ›

Since 2002, Velveeta has been labeled as a "pasteurized prepared cheese product." What does that even mean? Because of the ingredients and the way it is prepared, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not consider it real cheese.

What kind of milk is best for mac and cheese? ›

The remaining ingredients are simple: butter and flour (which makes the sauce thicken), milk, spices, salt, and pepper. For the milk, I prefer whole milk since it makes a creamier sauce, but I've used reduced fat milk plenty of times without complaint.

What kind of cheese is Velveeta? ›

Velveeta is a brand name for a processed cheese similar to American cheese. It was invented in 1918 by Emil Frey (1867-1951) of the Monroe Cheese Company in Monroe, New York. In 1923, The Velveeta Cheese Company was incorporated as a separate company. In 1925, it advertised two varieties, Swiss and American.

Is Monterey Jack or mozzarella better for mac and cheese? ›

Monterey Jack is perhaps the ultimate melting cheese. Fontina is a crowd-pleasing melter that was born to pair with pasta. Baby swiss has a natural creaminess that is perfect for mac & cheese. Mozzarella is the classic melter pairs well with any pasta.

Why not use pre shredded cheese for mac and cheese? ›

Pre-grated cheese may have been grated and packaged for some time, which can lead to some loss of flavor and texture. Moisture Content: Pre-grated cheese often contains additives like cellulose or potato starch to prevent clumping and maintain moisture. This can affect the texture and meltability of the cheese.

What not to do when making mac and cheese? ›

The 5 Biggest Mac & Cheese Mistakes
  1. Using Only Cheddar cheese.
  2. Not Adding Spice and Seasoning with Salt.
  3. Choosing the Wrong Pasta. There's a reason why elbow macaroni is the classic shape for macaroni and cheese. ...
  4. Overcooking. No one wants grainy cheese sauce and mushy pasta. ...
  5. Skimping on the Toppings.
May 21, 2020

Can you eat cheese with crab? ›

Since popular favorites like crab, shrimp and lobster already have a rich, buttery taste, they pair well with heavier types of dairy, like cream sauces. That's why a dish like lobster macaroni and cheese is so decadent or why shrimp scampi needs to be topped with freshly grated parmesan.

What flavors go well with crab meat? ›

vegetal and green notes. Cooked crab's vegetal aroma is most dominant and best described as being similar to that of cooked potatoes, which makes it a complementary pairing for potatoes (of course), but also eggplant, asparagus, cabbage, chicken, fish sauce, kaffir lime leaves and even kimchi.

Do cheese and seafood go together? ›

You don't need to be a fancy chef to pair seafood and milk. For instance, think about cheese pizza topped with anchovies. Or even bagel and cream cheese with lox – an extremely well known and loved combination of fish and cheese. This is our favorite combination, as we serve it often as a special!

What goes well with crab meat for lunch? ›

Eating crab is messy and can take a lot of work but these tools make it much more pleasant.
  • Dipping Sauces. Other than butter, you can create all sorts of sauces to serve with crab. ...
  • Lemon Rice. Another side option is a lemon rice pilaf. ...
  • Fresh Salad. ...
  • Roasted Vegetables. ...
  • Potatoes. ...
  • Corn. ...
  • Wine. ...
  • Dessert.
Mar 9, 2023

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