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Seafood Mac and Cheese

This creamy Seafood Mac and Cheese elevates traditional mac and cheese with tender seafood and a rich cheese sauce for an unforgettable meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Comfort Food, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 2 cups short pasta (elbow macaroni, cavatappi, or shells) Cooked until just shy of al dente.
Cheese Sauce Ingredients
  • 4 tablespoons butter For the roux.
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour To thicken the sauce.
  • 2 cups whole milk Warm before adding to the roux.
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded For flavor.
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded For stretch.
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded For richness.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated For savory finish.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Adds flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Seafood
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined Cut into bite-sized pieces if large.
  • 1 cup lump crab meat
Topping
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers For crispy topping.
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted To mix with topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente in a large pot of salted boiling water, then drain.
  2. Prepare seafood by peeling shrimp and inspecting crab meat for shells. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Cheese Sauce
  1. Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Gradually add warm milk and cream, whisking until smooth and thickened.
  3. Add garlic, onion powder, Dijon mustard, paprika, and black pepper.
  4. Slowly melt in shredded cheeses over low heat.
Combine and Bake
  1. Fold cooked pasta and seafood into the cheese sauce.
  2. Transfer to a buttered baking dish. Combine breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle on top.
  3. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown and bubbly.
  4. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a luxurious twist, add lobster. Customize the cheese blend to your liking. Serve with fresh parsley or lemon juice.