Description
Creamy crab pasta bake brings comfort right to your dinner table with tender pasta and rich seafood nestled under a golden, cheesy crust. Weeknight meals get an elegant upgrade when friends gather around this simple yet satisfying dish that speaks straight to your hunger.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 14 ounces imitation crab meat
- 16 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 2 cups mozzarella shredded
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated parmesan
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan
- ½ cup butter
- 4 ounces cream cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Fire up your oven to 375°F, ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heating.
- Boil 16 ounces of penne pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Melt ½ cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then whisk in 4 ounces cream cheese until completely smooth.
- Pour 1 pint heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously with 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Add 14 ounces imitation crab meat and drained pasta to the creamy sauce, gently tossing until every piece is generously coated.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle 2 cups mozzarella and 1 ¼ cups total parmesan cheese over the top, creating a rich, even cheese layer.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden-brown blanket.
- Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
Notes
- Choose fresh or high-quality imitation crab meat for the best flavor and texture in the dish.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories.
- Sprinkle extra Old Bay Seasoning on top before baking to enhance the seafood flavor and add a subtle kick.
- If your family prefers more protein, add cooked shrimp or diced real crab meat alongside the imitation crab for extra seafood richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 to 6
- Calories: 642 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 27 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg