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–+ servings
Seafood Mac and Cheese

Creamy Seafood Mac and Cheese: A Comfort Food Delight

This Seafood Mac and Cheese is a comforting dish featuring luxurious cheese, plump shrimp, tender crab, and delicate scallops, perfect for dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni or cavatappi
For the Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour gluten-free flour works too
  • 2 cups whole milk can use half-and-half for richer flavor
  • 1 cup heavy cream can swap with lighter cream if desired
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard can use yellow mustard as substitute
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or paprika
For the Seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper
For the Cheese
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese can substitute with Monterey Jack
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese or Swiss; Fontina can be substituted
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese Pecorino Romano makes a suitable replacement
For the Seafood
  • 1 pound shrimp can substitute with crab
  • 8 ounces lump crab meat or imitation crab
  • 8 ounces scallops can skip if unavailable
For the Topping
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs can use regular breadcrumbs for softer texture
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large skillet
  • Medium saucepan
  • Whisk
  • mixing bowl
  • Baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7–9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the Seafood: In a large skillet, heat 1–2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and scallops, sautéing for 2–3 minutes until they turn pink. Fold in the crab meat, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook for an additional minute.
  3. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour until a smooth roux forms. Gradually whisk in 2 cups of warm whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream, cooking until thickened. Stir in Dijon mustard, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cheeses until melted and creamy.
  4. Combine Pasta and Seafood: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained macaroni and seafood. Pour the cheese sauce over and stir gently to coat.
  5. Prepare to Bake (Optional): Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Mix panko breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle on top.
  6. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.
  7. Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Scoop onto plates and enjoy your Seafood Mac and Cheese.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Fresh seafood enhances flavor. Avoid pre-shredded cheese for optimal creaminess. Cooking pasta al dente prevents mushiness.

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