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Creamy seafood mac and cheese with shrimp and crab

Seafood Mac and Cheese

A delightful twist on the classic comfort food, combining creamy mac and cheese with rich seafood flavors from shrimp, crab meat, and scallops.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz elbow macaroni or small pasta
Seafood
  • 8 oz shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
  • 6 oz lump crab meat
  • 4 oz scallops, chopped
Sauce Base
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Cheese Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Topping
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni until just al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp, scallops, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and the scallops are cooked through. Gently fold in the crab meat and cook for another minute. Remove from the heat.
Making the Sauce
  1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
  2. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream until smooth. Continue cooking for 4-6 minutes, whisking frequently, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  3. Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low.
  4. Add the cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Parmesan a handful at a time, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
Combining
  1. Add the cooked pasta and seafood to the cheese sauce. Gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
Baking
  1. In a small bowl, combine the panko, melted butter, Parmesan, and parsley.
  2. Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
  3. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes, until bubbling around the edges and golden brown on top.
  4. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

To store leftovers, keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) until warmed through. For added flavor, try spices like Old Bay or lemon juice.