Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of this Seafood Mac & Cheese recipe. Combining tender shrimp, flavorful crab meat, and a blend of cheeses, this dish is a seafood lover’s dream come true. Baked to perfection with a golden breadcrumb topping, it’s a comforting main course that will impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk (warm)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or paprika)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Seafood Mix:
- ½ pound cooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped)
- ½ pound lump crab meat or imitation crab
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
Optional Topping:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs + 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 2-quart baking dish.
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Make cheese sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in flour to make a roux. Gradually whisk in warm milk until thickened. Add cheeses, seasonings, and stir until smooth.
- Combine ingredients: Fold in cooked pasta, shrimp, and crab meat. Transfer to baking dish.
- Add topping: Optionally, combine breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly. Garnish with parsley and serve.
Notes
- Use any type of cooked seafood, ensuring it’s drained before adding.
- Enhance flavor with cayenne or Dijon mustard if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
