Maggie Monday: Macaroni and Brie with Crab

The simple mac and cheese has been given an upgrade over the last few years. Lobster M&C is appearing on menus all over town. Pork belly M&C? Yup. Seen it too. Here Maggie has an upgrade of her own…

This is a Better Homes and Garden that I noticed on their website. The words Brie and Crab in the same sentence as Macaroni and Cheese stopped me at my keyboard. PRINT.

I went straight to the market and bought everything I needed. This couldn’t be easier to make. It is beautiful, rich, and simple. It is an upscale comfort food that is sure to please your family or guests for any occasion.

I did make some changes from the original recipe. I substituted Panko bread crumbs rather than make my own from bread. I like them better. And it saves at least 10 minutes of prep time. I also added melted butter to the bread crumbs, which adds even more richness, taste, and comfort crunch to the dish.

I think I’ve made it at least three times in the past three months. So. Dang. Good.

No, picky pants wouldn’t eat it but that was ok. More for mama.

Macaroni and Brie with Crab

What you need:

Nonstick cooking spray

1 medium sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced

5 tablespoons butter

1 pound dried medium shell pasta

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 cups milk

1 pound Brie cheese, trimmed and chopped

12- 16 ounces fresh crabmeat, drained, flaked, and cartilage removed

¾ cup panko bread crumbs

2 Tbs butter, melted

What you do:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat six 8-to 12-ounce individual baking dishes or a 13×19 baking dish with cooking spray; set aside. In large skillet cook onion in butter over medium-low heat about 15 minutes or until tender and golden brown, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook pasta in 4-quart Dutch oven according to package directions; drain and return to pan.
2. Add flour, salt, and pepper to onion in skillet; stir until combined, about 1 minute. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Gradually add chopped cheese; cook over medium-low heat until cheese melts. Stir into pasta. Fold in crab. Transfer to baking dishes.
3. Blend melted butter and bread crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over pasta mixture. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown.