Crab and Macaroni Bake

By Tufgrlz

Ingredients

• 10 oz. rotini pasta
• 3 Tbs. butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 4 oz. cheddar cheese, grated
• 6 oz. Monteray Jack cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 3 Tbs. chopped onion
• 3 Tbs. chopped cilantro
• 8 oz. fresh crabmeat

Preparation

Step 1

Boil pasta in salted water until tender, drain and set aside.

Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Continue stirring butter and flour mixture over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until it has a slightly nutty aroma. Pour in milk while whisking and whisk until smooth. Cook while stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until mixture thickens. Add salt, pepper, garlic and Old Bay. Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and add teh grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Stir until smooth. Stir in peppers, onions, and cilantro. Stir in pasta and gently fold in crab meat.

Spray a large challow casserole dish with pan spray. Pour in filling and spread out evenly. Sprinkle bread crumbs and a little more Old Bay over filling.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling around the edge.