“My husband is always requesting this recipe, but he usually only gets them on holidays.”
Seafood Mac and Cheese is a decadent upgrade to a classic comfort dish, featuring a medley of succulent seafood, perfectly cooked macaroni, and a velvety cheese sauce. Baked until golden and bubbling, it’s ideal for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special.
Ingredients
Macaroni Base
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Elbow macaroni | 8 ounces |
Seafood Mixture
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Mixed seafood (shrimp, crab, scallops) | 1 pound |
| Butter | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
Cheese Sauce
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 1 tablespoon |
| All-purpose flour | 2 tablespoons |
| Milk | 2 cups |
| Shredded cheddar | 2 cups |
| Shredded Gruyère | 1 cup |
| Grated Parmesan | 1/2 cup |
| Paprika | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Cayenne pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Salt | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
Garnish
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fresh parsley, chopped | As desired |
Instructions
🐟 Cook the Seafood
- Prepare: Rinse the seafood and pat dry. Peel and devein shrimp if necessary.
- Sauté: In a skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add seafood and cook for 3–4 minutes until just opaque. Do not overcook. Set aside.
🍝 Cook the Pasta
- Boil: Bring salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
🧀 Prepare the Cheese Sauce
- Roux: In the same pot, melt butter and whisk in the flour. Cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
- Thicken: Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Cook for 5 minutes or until thickened.
- Melt Cheese: Reduce heat to low and stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until smooth.
- Season: Add paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste.
🥘 Assemble the Dish
- Combine: Gently mix the pasta, seafood, and cheese sauce in a large bowl until well coated.
- Transfer: Spoon mixture into a greased baking dish and spread evenly.
🔥 Bake
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Rest: Let cool slightly before serving.
🌿 Finish & Serve
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Enjoy: Serve hot and enjoy every creamy, seafood-filled bite!
