Since crab season just wrapped, what better way to indulge in your favorite comfort food than this cheesy, crispy mac and cheese. Recipe courtesy of Alaska Seafood.

ALASKA SNOW CRAB MAC N CHEESE
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Italian fusilli or trottole pasta cooked al dente, drained and kept warm
- 1 lb. Alaska crabmeat 2 lbs. Alaska King, Snow or Dungeness crab legs
- 2 cups bite-sized pieces of fresh asparagus about 9 oz.,
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt or garlic salt or onion salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 quart non-fat or 1% milk warmed
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon each smoked paprika and dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400oF.
- In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the salt, pepper and warm milk. Cook and whisk until sauce has thickened and is smooth. Turn heat to lowest setting; stir in cheeses. Turn off heat; continue stirring until sauce is smooth. Gently blend in the pasta, crabmeat and asparagus. Turn mixture into a spray coated 9x13-inch pan or 8 (1-1/2 cup) baking dishes.
- Blend together breadcrumbs, smoked paprika and thyme; sprinkle evenly over pasta. Bake 20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and topping is browned.