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.
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By draej99
STL
on March 23, 2012
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I watch this channel because my Grandmother (94 loves talking/remembering about cooking. I tried this recipe and it is so good. I didn't use heavy cream instead milk and only used sharp cheddar. My family cannot digest all that diary. I am sitting here "tasting" it and I know tomorrow it will be BETTER.
By jedivett_5181557
Marco Island, FL
on January 25, 2012
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Great recipe! Even my picky eaters liked this one!
By perrinsmom1
on December 25, 2011
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This is TO DIE FOR! We made it for our Christmas Eve dinner...we left out the celery and bay leaf and used lime zest (because we had one in the house and there is NOTHING I would change or add...Simply delectable! It was devoured and even my 10 yr old wanted seconds!
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