Description

This creamy and decadent Seafood Mac & Cheese combines tender elbow macaroni with succulent shrimp and lump crab meat, all enveloped in a rich, cheesy sauce made from sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Finished with a crispy breadcrumb topping and garnished with fresh parsley, this baked seafood mac & cheese is a comforting and indulgent dish perfect for seafood lovers seeking a delicious twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 oz elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)

Cheese Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk (warm)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Seafood

1/2 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
1/2 cup lump crab meat (fresh or canned, drained)

Toppings & Garnish

1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional topping)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and for easy serving.
Cook Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to keep warm.
Make Roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and whisk constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to form a smooth roux, which will thicken the sauce.
Add Milk and Cream: Slowly whisk in the warm whole milk and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking and stirring often for about 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
Add Cheeses and Seasonings: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the cheeses fully melt and the sauce is smooth.
Combine Pasta and Seafood: Gently fold the cooked macaroni, chopped shrimp, and lump crab meat into the cheese sauce until evenly combined without breaking up the seafood.
Assemble in Baking Dish: Pour the cheesy seafood pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top if using for a crunchy crust.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 18–20 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve the seafood mac & cheese hot for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

For extra flavor, sauté the shrimp briefly before adding them to the mac & cheese.
Use fresh lump crab meat when possible for the best texture, but high-quality canned crab is a good alternative.
The breadcrumb topping is optional but adds a lovely crunchy contrast to the creamy pasta.
You can substitute elbow macaroni with other pasta shapes like shells or cavatappi.
To make ahead, prepare through step 6, refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.