CRAB MACARONI AND CHEESE

Crab Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons sea salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 cups chardonnay
3 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Pinch sea salt
3 cups grated Swiss cheese
1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Tabasco
1 pound lump crabmeat, picked of any shell bits
1 cup panko breadcrumbs, toasted
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
For the pasta: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts water and the salt to a rolling boil. It should taste like seawater. Stir in the macaroni and cook but leave quite firm, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking liquid.
For the sauce: In a medium pot, reduce the wine over medium heat until the liquid measures about 1/2 cup, 5 to 8 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cream, mustard and a pinch of salt. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Swiss cheese, Cheddar, Parmesan, Worcestershire and hot sauce and warm until the cheese melts, 3 to 5 minutes.
Add the macaroni to the cream mixture and stir gently to blend. Allow the macaroni to rest on the stove so the pasta absorbs the flavors, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer half of the macaroni to a 9-by-13-inch oven-proof baking dish, sprinkle with half of the crab in an even layer. Gently layer on the remaining macaroni, and then another layer of crab.
For the topping: In a medium bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley and Swiss cheese. Top the pasta with the breadcrumbs and bake until browned and hot, 15 to 20 minutes.