🧀🦐 Seafood Mac and Cheese
Servings: 6
Prep + Cook Time: ~45 minutes
✅ Ingredients:
Pasta:
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1 lb elbow macaroni (or shell pasta)
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Salted water for boiling
Seafood:
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½ lb shrimp (peeled & deveined)
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½ lb lump crab meat (or imitation crab, if preferred)
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Optional: ½ lb scallops or lobster meat
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1 tbsp butter + pinch of salt & pepper (for sautéing)
Cheese Sauce:
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4 tbsp butter
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4 tbsp all-purpose flour
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3 cups whole milk (warm)
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1 cup heavy cream
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2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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1 cup shredded Gruyère (or mozzarella or fontina)
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½ cup grated Parmesan
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp paprika
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Salt & pepper to taste
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Optional: pinch of cayenne or Old Bay for extra flavor
Topping:
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½ cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
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2 tbsp melted butter
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2 tbsp Parmesan
👨🍳 Instructions:
1. Boil Pasta:
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Cook macaroni in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook Seafood:
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In a skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium heat.
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Cook shrimp (and scallops/lobster if using) for 2–3 minutes per side until just opaque. Season with salt & pepper.
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Set aside. Gently fold in crab meat (don’t over-stir lump crab).
3. Make Cheese Sauce:
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In a large saucepan, melt 4 tbsp butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes (making a roux).
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Slowly whisk in warm milk and cream. Cook until slightly thickened (~3–5 minutes).
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Stir in garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cheeses until smooth and melty.
4. Combine:
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Add cooked pasta and seafood to the cheese sauce. Gently fold to combine.
5. Top & Bake:
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Pour into a greased 9×13″ baking dish.
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Mix breadcrumbs, melted butter, and Parmesan; sprinkle over the top.
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Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.
🍽️ Serving Tips:
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Garnish with chopped parsley, chives, or a squeeze of lemon juice.
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Pair with a crisp white wine (like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc) and a green salad.
Let me know if you’d like a spicy Cajun twist or a one-pot stovetop version!