Alaska Crab Pasta with Asparagus and Creamy Cheese Sauce

Back to blog
A baking dish of creamy Alaska crab fusilli pasta with asparagus and golden breadcrumbs, baked to perfection in a rich cheese sauce.

Sweet Alaska crab folded into a creamy blend of cheeses with tender pasta and fresh asparagus, then baked with a crisp golden topping. Rich, comforting, and just a little elevated — the kind of dish that feels equally at home at a cozy dinner or a special gathering. King or tanner (bairdi) crab work especially well in this recipe, though any wild Alaska crab will work beautifully.

  • Prep Time:

    15 minutes

  • Cook Time:

    30 minutes

  • Total Time:

    45 minutes

  • Servings:

    6-8

  • Ingredients:

    • 1 lb. Italian fusilli or trottole pasta, cooked al dente, drained and kept warm
    • 1 lb. Alaska crabmeat (2 lbs. Alaska King, Snow or Dungeness crab legs)
    • 2 cups bite-sized pieces of fresh asparagus (about 9 oz.),
    • 1/2 cup butter
    • 1/2 cup flour
    • 1 teaspoon salt or garlic salt or onion salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
    • 1 quart non-fat or 1% milk, warmed
    • 1 cup shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese
    • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
    • 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
    • 1/2 to 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
    • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

  • Instructions:

    1. In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the salt, pepper and warm milk. Cook and whisk until sauce has thickened and is smooth. Turn heat to lowest setting; stir in cheeses. Turn off heat; continue stirring until sauce is smooth. Gently blend in the pasta, crabmeat and asparagus.
    2. Preheat oven to 400oF.  Turn mixture into a spray coated 9×13-inch pan or 8 (1-1/2 cup) baking dishes. Blend together breadcrumbs, smoked paprika and thyme; sprinkle evenly over pasta.  Bake 20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and topping is browned.

More recipes using this fish →

Browse more recipes by category:

Hearty Meals