Crab Cake Mac N Cheese Recipe - (4.6/5)

Ingredients

• Salt
• 1 pound cavatappi or elbow pasta with lines on conchiglie (small fat tube/shell shaped pasta with lines)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 ribs celery with leafy tops, finely chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped thyme leaves, several sprigs
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 pound fresh lump crabmeat, picked for shells and flaked
• 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/3 pound, about 1 rounded cup grated sharp white Cheddar
• 1/3 pound, about 1 rounded cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
• 3 tablespoons hot sauce (recommended: Frank's Red Hot)
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• A generous handful flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, a couple of handfuls