Name: Seafood Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) elbow macaroni or cavatappi; 1 Tbsp salt (for boiling water); 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 (or 1 tsp paprika + a pinch cayenne); 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 cheese (shredded) or Swiss; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated); 1/2 lb (225 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1/2 lb (225 g) lump crab meat; 1/2 lb (225 g) scallops; 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter; Pinch of salt & pepper; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional); 2 Tbsp butter (melted, optional); 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese (optional); 1 cup frozen peas (optional); 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach (optional); 1–2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional); Lemon wedges (for serving)

Description

A luxurious Seafood Mac and Cheese with shrimp, scallops, and lump crab in a creamy cheese sauce, topped with crunchy panko.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450 g) elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 Tbsp salt (for boiling water)
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 (or 1 tsp paprika + a pinch cayenne)
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 cheese (shredded) or Swiss
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/2 lb (225 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb (225 g) lump crab meat
1/2 lb (225 g) scallops
1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
Pinch of salt & pepper
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional)
2 Tbsp butter (melted, optional)
2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 cup frozen peas (optional)
1/2 cup finely chopped spinach (optional)
1–2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional)
Lemon wedges (for serving)

Instructions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until just al dente; drain and set aside.
In a skillet, heat olive oil or butter and sear the shrimp, scallops, and lump crab until just cooked; set aside.
Make the cheese sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour, then gradually adding warmed milk and heavy cream; simmer and add seasonings.
Stir in the cheeses until melted and smooth; adjust seasoning.
Fold the pasta and seafood into the cheese sauce.
For a baked version, transfer to a baking dish, top with a mixture of panko, melted butter, and Parmesan, and bake until golden.
Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley or chives.

Notes

For gluten-free, use a gluten-free pasta; for a lighter dish, substitute 2% milk and reduce heavy cream.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 36g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: mac and cheese, seafood, comfort food, creamy, baked pasta