Name: Seafood Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb elbow macaroni or cavatappi; 1 Tbsp salt; 4 Tbsp unsalted butter; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 4 cups whole milk (warmed); 1 cup heavy cream; 2 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste); 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded); 1 cup Gruyère (shredded) or Swiss; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1/2 lb lump crab meat (or imitation crab); 1/2 lb scallops (small, or halved if large); 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter; Pinch of salt & pepper; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 Tbsp butter (melted); 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese; 1 cup frozen peas (optional); 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach (optional); 1–2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives (for garnish); Lemon wedges (for serving)

Description

A comforting and creamy Seafood Mac and Cheese that’s quick to prepare and kid-friendly, featuring shrimp, crab, and rich cheeses.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 Tbsp salt
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk (warmed)
1 cup heavy cream
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 cup Gruyère (shredded) or Swiss
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb lump crab meat (or imitation crab)
1/2 lb scallops (small, or halved if large)
1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
Pinch of salt & pepper
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 Tbsp butter (melted)
2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese
1 cup frozen peas (optional)
1/2 cup finely chopped spinach (optional)
1–2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta, and cook until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the seafood: Heat olive oil in a skillet, season shrimp and scallops, and sauté until just opaque. Transfer seafood to a plate.
Make the cheese sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour, and whisk. Gradually whisk in warm milk and cream, then stir in mustard, Old Bay, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Add the cheeses: Stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until melted.
Combine pasta, seafood, and sauce: Mix everything together, adding peas or spinach if desired.
Bake or serve: For a crunchy top, transfer to a baking dish, top with panko mixed with melted butter and Parmesan, and bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes. Alternatively, serve straight from the pot.
Garnish with parsley or chives and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

This dish is versatile! Use gluten-free pasta or substitute different seafood based on what you have on hand.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 500
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: Seafood Mac and Cheese, comfort food, family dinner, quick meals, kid-friendly recipes