Description
A creamy and delicious seafood mac and cheese recipe with shrimp, crab, and a three-cheese blend.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound elbow macaroni or cellentani pasta
- 5 tablespoons butter (Divided 4 tablespoons for the cheese sauce and 1 tablespoon to cook with the seafood)
- 8 oz lump crab meat
- 1 pound raw shrimp (Peeled and deveined, sliced into 1 inch chunks)
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning (Optional for additional flavor)
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2–3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded parmigiano reggiano cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese (Optional for really creamy mac)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot in accordance with the instructions on the package.
- Drain the macaroni and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet or saucepan on medium-high heat. Add in 1 tablespoon of butter. When melted, add in the shrimp and Old Bay seasoning and optional Cajun seasoning.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on both sides until cooked through. Add in the crab and stir. Remove from the heat and set aside. Keep the seafood in the butter sauce.
- Heat a skillet or saucepan on medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of butter and allow it to melt.
- Once melted, add the flour and whisk. Add the flour in stages to prevent clumping. This will create a roux. Continue to whisk until the flour is fully combined.
- Add the milk and heavy whipping cream and stir.
- Add half of the shredded cheese and the cream cheese stir until the cheese is melted.
- Add the onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Taste repeatedly and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Return the pasta to the large pot. Drizzle the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir until fully combined.
- Add in the cooked seafood and the butter sauce the seafood was cooked in. Stir. Taste again. Add additional spices, salt, and pepper if needed.
- Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Begin to layer in the pasta. Start with the pasta and seafood, then add a layer of all of the shredded cheese.
- Add another layer of pasta, and then another layer of cheese. If your dish is piled high, place it on a sheet pan while baking.
- Bake for 25-45 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly. Let it cool before serving.
Notes
- This recipe can be customized with other seafood or seasonings according to taste.
- For best results, let the dish cool for a few minutes after baking before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 150mg