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bowl of baked crab mac and cheese
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5 from 17 votes

Baked Crab Mac and Cheese

This Baked Crab Mac and Cheese requires JUST ONE pot and is loaded with perfectly-cooked pasta, crab, a creamy cheese sauce, white wine vinegar, Old Bay seasoning, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping! 
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Main Dish, Pasta
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked mac and cheese, crab, one pot mac and cheese
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 660kcal
Author: Jennifer Debth

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 7 tablespoons white wine vinegar divided
  • 2 tablespoons old bay seasoning divided*
  • 1  (16 oz) box medium pasta shells uncooked
  • 2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt more or less to taste
  • 1 (8 oz) block white cheddar cheese shredded and divided*
  • 1 cup monterey jack shredded and divided*
  • 1/2 cup asiago/parmesan/romano blend shredded and divided*
  • 1 pound cooked crabmeat
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Fresh herbs and hot sauce as garnish if desired
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium heat.
  • Add in onion, garlic, 4 tablespoons of vinegar, and 1 tablespoon old bay seasoning.
  • Cook, stirring regularly, for 3-5 minutes, or until onion has softened
  • Add in pasta, milk, broth, water, and salt.
  • Bring to a simmer, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until pasta is cooked to your liking. Stir OFTEN to prevent sticking.
  • Remove pot from heat and stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons of vinegar, half the white cheddar, half the Monterey jack, and half the asiago blend.*
  • Once melted, gently stir in the crab.
  • Taste and re-season, if necessary.
  • Optional baking step: preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Pour in the cooked mac and cheese and top with remaining cheeses.
  • Top with panko and 1 tablespoon old bay seasoning
  • Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until panko is golden brown and the cheeses have melted
  • Serve with fresh herbs and hot sauce, if desired, and enjoy!
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Video

Notes

If you're not baking, you'll only need half the amount of listed old bay and cheeses and you'll stir in the full amount instead of saving half for the top. 
The nutritional information includes the baking ingredients. 

Nutrition

Calories: 660kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 1304mg | Potassium: 629mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 973IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 701mg | Iron: 2mg