Easy & Best Seafood Mac & Cheese
Seafood Mac & Cheese is a luxurious twist on a classic comfort food, combining the creamy, cheesy goodness of mac and cheese with the succulent flavors of seafood. This dish is perfect for special occasions or a cozy night in, offering a rich and satisfying meal that’s sure to impress.
With this Seafood Mac & Cheese recipe, you can expect a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that’s elevated by the addition of tender, flavorful seafood. The combination of cheeses creates a luscious sauce, while the seafood adds a delightful briny touch. This dish is both comforting and indulgent, making it a perfect centerpiece for any meal.
Tools to Use:
- Large pot
- Colander
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking dish
- Oven
Ingredients:
For the Mac & Cheese:
- 1 lb (450 g) elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Seafood:
- 1/2 lb (225 g) cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb (225 g) lump crab meat
- 1/2 lb (225 g) cooked lobster meat, chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions:
For the Mac & Cheese:
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, and cook until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyere cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Combine with Pasta: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, ensuring the pasta is well-coated.
For the Seafood:
- Prepare the Seafood: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp, crab meat, and lobster meat (if using). Season with garlic powder and lemon juice. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the seafood is heated through.
- Mix with Pasta: Gently fold the cooked seafood into the pasta and cheese mixture.
For the Topping:
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and chopped parsley (if using).
- Assemble the Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the seafood mac and cheese mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Serve:
- Plate the Dish: Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish: Optionally, garnish with additional parsley or a sprinkle of paprika for color.
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Easy & Best Seafood Mac & Cheese
Seafood Mac & Cheese is a luxurious twist on a classic comfort food, combining the creamy, cheesy goodness of mac and cheese with the succulent flavors of seafood. This dish is perfect for special occasions or a cozy night in, offering a rich and satisfying meal that’s sure to impress.
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Large mixing bowl
- Baking dish
- Oven
Ingredients
- For the Mac & Cheese:
- 1 lb 450 g elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning optional
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Seafood:
- 1/2 lb 225 g cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb 225 g lump crab meat
- 1/2 lb 225 g cooked lobster meat, chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- For the Mac & Cheese:
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, until lightly golden. Gradually whisk in the milk and heavy cream, and cook until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season the Sauce: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyere cheeses, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Combine with Pasta: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the cheese sauce, ensuring the pasta is well-coated.
- For the Seafood:
- Prepare the Seafood: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp, crab meat, and lobster meat (if using). Season with garlic powder and lemon juice. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the seafood is heated through.
- Mix with Pasta: Gently fold the cooked seafood into the pasta and cheese mixture.
- For the Topping:
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and chopped parsley (if using).
- Assemble the Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the seafood mac and cheese mixture to a baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve:
- Plate the Dish: Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish: Optionally, garnish with additional parsley or a sprinkle of paprika for color.
Tips for Cooking:
- Use Fresh Seafood: For the best flavor, use fresh seafood. However, frozen seafood can also be used if fresh is not available.
- Do Not Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until al dente to avoid it becoming mushy when baked.
- Customize the Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses to suit your taste.
Why They Should Try This Recipe:
This Seafood Mac & Cheese recipe combines the best of comfort food with the elegance of seafood. It’s a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for both family dinners and special occasions. The rich cheese sauce and tender seafood create a harmonious blend of flavors that will delight your taste buds.
Enjoy this easy and best Seafood Mac & Cheese recipe! It’s a delightful twist on a classic favorite, offering a delicious and indulgent meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Share it with your loved ones and savor the luxurious combination of creamy cheese and succulent seafood. Happy cooking!
