Description
When the craving for comfort food strikes, nothing hits the spot quite like a Crab Pasta Bake.
With tender pasta, sweet crab meat, a rich, cheesy sauce, and a golden crispy topping
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or shells)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 oz lump crab meat (fresh, canned, or imitation)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta until just al dente (it will continue cooking in the oven).
- Drain and set aside.
2. Make the Cheese Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to make a roux.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream.
- Cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 4-5 minutes.
- Stir in mozzarella, parmesan, Dijon mustard, Old Bay, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until the cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
Tip: Don’t let the sauce boil too hard — gentle heat ensures a silky texture!
3. Combine Pasta, Crab, and Sauce
- In a large bowl, gently combine cooked pasta, crab meat, and the cheese sauce.
- Mix just until everything is coated.
4. Assemble the Bake
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
- Sprinkle buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
5. Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbling and golden brown on top.
6. Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
- Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!
Notes
- Use Good Quality Crab: Fresh or high-quality canned lump crab makes a big difference.
- Don’t Overcook Pasta: Keep it just al dente before baking.
- Add a Kick: Stir in a pinch of cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce if you love heat.
- Make Ahead: Assemble the bake earlier in the day and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Fat: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
Keywords: Crab Pasta Bake