Presented by: George Tantzen, from Covington

Cook's Note: A great macaroni and cheese using Washington ingredients. This recipe is great during the crabbing season using fresh Dungeness crab and Washington State Cougar Gold cheese.

serves 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 12 ounces Cougar Gold cheese, shredded
• 6 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 12 ounces Dungeness crab meat
• 4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 2/3 cup panko bread crumbs

Preparation

Cook pasta until al dente and drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter over low heat. Add flour and stir to combine. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Whisk in milk to avoid lumps. Turn heat up to medium and cook until thick, about 5 minutes. Add Old Bay, salt, pepper and garlic. Add cream cheese and whisk until smooth.

Remove from heat and, with a wooden spoon, stir in Cougar Gold and Monterey Jack cheeses. Stir in crab meat. Stir in pasta.

Pour mixture into a 9 x 13-inch glass or ceramic dish and level the pasta mixture.

Mix Parmesan cheese with the panko bread crumbs and sprinkle evenly over the pasta mixture. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown on top.