Maryland

Crab Mac with Old Bay

Maryland and blue crabs go together like, well, Old Bay and everything. This mac and cheese features sweet Chesapeake Bay lump crab meat in a creamy cheddar sauce seasoned with Maryland's signature spice blend.

⏱40 min 🍴Serves 6 Medium

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook shell pasta until al dente, drain and set aside.
  2. Carefully pick through crab meat to remove any shell pieces while keeping lumps intact.
  3. Melt butter in a large saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes.
  4. Gradually add milk, whisking until thickened. Stir in Old Bay and Worcestershire sauce.
  5. Remove from heat. Add cheddar and Monterey Jack, stirring until smooth.
  6. Gently fold in pasta and crab meat. Transfer to a buttered baking dish.
  7. Mix panko with melted butter and sprinkle on top. Bake 20 minutes until golden.
  8. Garnish with parsley and extra Old Bay. Serve hot.

Pro Tips

  • Use genuine Chesapeake Bay blue crab if possible - the sweet flavor is distinctly Maryland.
  • Old Bay was created in Baltimore in 1939 - it's absolutely essential to authentic Maryland seafood.
  • Lump crab meat is worth the price - avoid claw meat for this special dish.
  • Serve with extra Old Bay on the side - Marylanders put it on everything!