Seafood Delight: Crab and Cheese Pasta

let this Seafood Delight captivate your senses and leave you craving more!!

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (about 225g) pasta
• 8 ounces (about 225g) lump crab meat, picked over for shells
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups shredded cheese (such as cheddar, Gruyère, or a blend)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• Chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish and set aside.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
4. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Cook the sauce until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Season the cheese sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
6. Gently fold in the lump crab meat until evenly distributed throughout the cheese sauce.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir until it’s well coated with the crab and cheese mixture.
8. Transfer the crab and cheese pasta to the prepared baking dish. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top for added crunch.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly.