Description
A creamy and indulgent dish that combines rich cheese, tender pasta, and succulent seafood. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a special gathering. This Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe is a comforting, flavorful dish that’s sure to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb crab meat (or lobster, if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the macaroni in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the seafood: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook for about 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet. In the same skillet, cook crab meat (or lobster) for another 2-3 minutes. Set both aside.
- Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes until golden. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the cheeses: Stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add mustard, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta and seafood to the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is well-coated and heated through.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Feel free to mix in your favorite seafood options such as scallops or lobster for a richer flavor.
- You can bake this dish at 350°F for 15-20 minutes with a sprinkle of extra cheese on top for a crispy, golden crust.
- For a lighter version, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 1/4 of the dish)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg