Welcome to the world of cheesy, flavorful delights, where we embark on a culinary journey to discover the best recipe for Spiced Crab Mac n Cheese. This iconic dish combines the comforting warmth of classic mac n cheese with the vibrant flavors of succulent crab and an array of aromatic spices, promising a feast for the senses. As we delve into the art of crafting this masterpiece, let's explore the various techniques, ingredient combinations, and cooking methods that will lead us to the ultimate recipe for an unforgettable spiced crab mac n cheese experience.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CRAB CAKE MAC N CHEESE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat, then salt the water. Add the pasta and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, (it will be undercooked). Cool, drain well and add it to a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, and 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium to medium-high heat. Add the celery, onion, red pepper, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, lemon zest, salt and pepper, to taste. Cook to tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the crabmeat to the vegetables and season liberally with seafood seasoning. Stir to combine, then remove from heat.
- In a medium sauce pot, over low heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 minute, then whisk in the milk and bring to a bubble. Season the sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg, to taste, and cook for a few minutes, until the mixture coats the back of a spoon. Add the mustard and the cheese and stir in a figure 8 motion. Add the vegetables and crab, sauce to the bowl with the pasta and transfer the mixture to individual baking crocks or a large casserole dish. This can be made ahead to this point and refrigerated.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- To complete the dish, melt a couple of tablespoons butter in a small skillet, over low heat and add 3 tablespoons hot sauce. Warm through, then add the panko crumbs and toss to evenly coat the crumbs in sauce mixture. Cool the crumbs, then toss in the parsley and 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano -Reggiano cheese. Top the mac n cheese with the spicy crumb mixture. Arrange individual crocks on a baking sheet or put the casserole on baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake until brown and heated through, about 10 minutes. If cooking from cold, the mac n cheese will take 40 to 45 minutes, but add the crumbs the last 10 minutes of baking.
SPICED CRAB MAC 'N' CHEESE
Use Old Bay seasoning (an iconic spice blend from Baltimore in the US) to balance the sweetness from the crab in this moreish crab mac 'n' cheese
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Dinner
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Melt the butter in a large pan over a low heat and sizzle the whites of the spring onions, the Old Bay seasoning and the paprika until the butter is foamy and aromatic. Stir in the tomato purée and flour until the ingredients form a paste. Cook for another minute or two to toast the flour a little, then turn the heat up to low-medium and add the milk, a little at a time, whisking well until you have a smooth, thick sauce (you may not need all the milk).
- Meanwhile, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta following pack instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Stir the cheddar, half of the parmesan, the mustard and crabmeat into the sauce. Check the seasoning - the Old Bay spice mix is salty and spicy, so you may not need to add much salt or pepper. Tip in the cooked pasta and mix well. Pour into a baking dish (ours was 25 x 30cm and 7cm deep). Combine the breadcrumbs, remaining parmesan, the green parts of the spring onions and a pinch of paprika in a bowl, then scatter over the dish. At this stage, the mac 'n' cheese can be cooled completely and chilled overnight, or frozen, well covered, for two months. Defrost in the fridge overnight before baking.
- To cook, heat the oven to 200C/ 180C fan/gas 6. Bake the mac 'n' cheese for 25 mins (add another 10 mins if cooking from chilled) until the topping is golden and crunchy and the sauce is bubbling at the edges.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 561 calories, Fat 25 grams fat, SaturatedFat 15 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 53 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 28 grams protein, Sodium 1.9 milligram of sodium
MAC AND CHEESE CASSEROLE WITH IMITATION CRAB
I made this recipe at home and have loved it ever since.
Provided by ian
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Add condensed soup, Cheddar cheese, imitation crab, milk, seafood seasoning, Cajun seasoning, and pepper to rotini; mix ingredients together. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish.
- Mix bread crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl until crumbs are moist; spread evenly over the casserole mixture.
- Cook in the preheated oven until bubbly and topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 369.6 calories, Carbohydrate 32.5 g, Cholesterol 54 mg, Fat 19.6 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 14.3 g, SaturatedFat 11.4 g, Sodium 1023.6 mg, Sugar 4.9 g
Tips:
- Use fresh or frozen crab meat for the best flavor. Avoid using canned crab meat, as it can be tough and have a strong fishy flavor.
- Be sure to cook the crab meat thoroughly to prevent any foodborne illness. The crab meat should be cooked until it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Use a good quality cheese for the mac and cheese. A sharp cheddar cheese will give the dish a rich and flavorful taste.
- Don't overcook the mac and cheese. The pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Add some extra flavor to the mac and cheese with spices and herbs. Some good options include garlic, onion, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Top the mac and cheese with a breadcrumb topping for a crispy and flavorful crust.
Conclusion:
This spiced crab mac and cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of crab meat, cheese, and spices makes for a flavorful and satisfying dish that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner recipe, give this spiced crab mac and cheese a try. You won't be disappointed!
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