How to make a budget family-friendly meal recipe for 6-8 people for only $15! My family loved this Crab Pasta Bake and while it does feed 6-8 people, you can also feed 4 people and have great-tasting leftovers for the next day. Also, while we used imitation crab, you could easily substitute a different protein. Just be aware it could change the price. The melty cheese goodness will complement most meats such as steak, chicken, pork, and more. Below is the recipe!
Crab Pasta Bake Meal
Feeds 6-8 People
Ingredients: 1 lb. imitation crab meat, 1lb. Rotini pasta, 1.5 cups shredded cheese, 8oz. softened cream or Neufchatel cheese, 12 oz. bag of frozen broccoli, 8 slices frozen Texas Toast, 1 bag of carrots (the exact amount will depend on how many people you are feeding), 4 cloves of garlic, 1.5 tbsp. olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
Directions:
1. Mince garlic and mix together 2 cloves with olive oil and salt and pepper. Cut carrots into 2-inch pieces and stir together with oil mixture. Bake in oven at 425 for 13 minutes, stir, and put back in for 13 minutes.
2. Boil pasta and set aside 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the rest of the pasta.
3. In an oven-safe pan, saute two more cloves of garlic over medium heat, drop in a block of softened Neufchatel cheese, 1 cup shredded cheese, and pasta water. Stir until sauce forms. Add more water for a thinner sauce or less for a thicker sauce.
4. Add cooked pasta, crab meat, and frozen broccoli to the cheese mixture. Stir well. Top with 1/2 cup more shredded cheese. Bake in pan (make sure it is oven-safe) in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
5. Bake Texas Toast according to package directions.
6. Plate carrots, pasta, and toast. Serve and enjoy!
