Seafood Mac And Cheese Recipe
Seafood Mac And Cheese is a creamy baked pasta dish made with tender macaroni, shrimp, crab, lobster, rich cheese sauce, and a buttery breadcrumb topping. It’s cozy, cheesy, flavorful, and perfect for holidays, Sunday dinner, or a special family meal.
Ingredients
For the pasta and seafood
- 1 pound elbow macaroni cavatappi, or shells
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 8 ounces lump crab meat
- 8 ounces cooked lobster meat chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the cheese sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
- 1 ½ cups gruyere cheese freshly shredded
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9 inch by 13 inch baking dish and set it aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta 1-2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, garlic, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper.
- Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and cooked through. Remove from the skillet. Chop into bite-sized pieces if needed.
- Melt ½ cup butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until smooth. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in the milk, then the half-and-half. Cook for 5-7 minutes, whisking often, until thickened.
- Add the Old Bay seasoning, paprika, mustard powder, hot sauce, salt, and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese until melted.
- Add the cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan cheese a handful at a time, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the cooked pasta until coated in the cheese sauce.
- Gently fold in the cooked shrimp, crab meat, and lobster meat.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, stir together the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, parmesan cheese, and parsley.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping evenly over the mac and cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until hot and bubbling around the edges.
- For a more golden topping, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
Do not overcook the shrimp before baking.
Drain and pat seafood dry before adding it to the sauce.
Add a splash of milk when reheating leftovers.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Do not overcook the shrimp before baking.
Drain and pat seafood dry before adding it to the sauce.
Add a splash of milk when reheating leftovers.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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