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Crab Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.3 from 7 reviews

Crab Pasta Bake is a creamy and cheesy casserole featuring penne pasta, imitation crab meat, and a rich homemade Alfredo sauce made with heavy cream, butter, cream cheese, and Parmesan. This delicious and comforting baked dish combines the flavors of American and Italian cuisine and makes a perfect, easy dinner for six.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Crab and Pasta

  • 14 ounces imitation crab meat
  • 16 ounces penne pasta
  • Water for boiling pasta

Alfredo Sauce

  • 1 pint heavy cream
  • ½ cup butter (1 stick)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese (half a block)
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Toppings

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
  2. Boil Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta, rinse it with cold water, and set aside.
  3. Make Alfredo Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, heavy cream, and cream cheese together, stirring frequently until smooth. Add Old Bay Seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper, stirring well to combine. Whisk in grated Parmesan cheese, reduce heat to low, and simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly until thickened.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the prepared Alfredo sauce over the cooked pasta and stir gently to coat all the noodles evenly.
  5. Add Crab Meat: Fold in the imitation crab meat, breaking up any large pieces to distribute throughout the pasta mixture.
  6. Assemble Casserole: In a 9×13 inch ovenproof casserole dish, layer half of the creamy pasta mixture. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella evenly over the pasta. Add the remaining pasta on top, then cover with the rest of the mozzarella and the ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese.
  7. Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through and the cheese is melted and light golden brown on top.
  8. Serve: Remove from the oven and optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added color before serving warm.

Notes

  • Use imitation crab meat for convenience and affordability, or substitute with fresh crab meat if preferred.
  • Be careful not to overcook the pasta during boiling since it will bake further in the oven.
  • Adjust seasoning like salt and Old Bay to taste depending on your preference.
  • Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes after baking to set and make serving easier.
  • For a lower fat version, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduced-fat cheeses.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American, Italian

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/crab-pasta-bake-recipe/