Gourmet Seafood Mac and Cheese

Indulge in this exquisite Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe, featuring succulent crab, shrimp, and macaroni pasta. This easy-to-make, cheesy casserole is the perfect addition to any spread. Enhance the flavor with a touch of Old Bay Seasoning!

Selecting Your Seafood

For this recipe, I prefer using shrimp and jumbo lump crab. Feel free to experiment with other seafood options such as scallops, lobster, or mussels.

Choosing the Right Shrimp

Shrimp at the grocery store comes in various forms: raw, pre-cooked, frozen, deveined, with tails on or off. I recommend avoiding pre-cooked shrimp due to its inferior quality. Cooking raw shrimp takes just minutes, and yields the best taste.

Using Frozen Shrimp

If using frozen shrimp, thaw it in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes.

Tails On or Off?

This is a matter of personal preference. Keeping the tails on can enhance presentation but may be inconvenient while eating.

Best Crab for the Recipe

I use lump crab meat, found in the refrigerated section of grocery stores. You can also use imitation crab meat, known as krab meat, which is easier to find and less expensive. Note that imitation crab is processed fish meat and doesn’t contain real crab, though it often includes crab extract for flavor.

Substitutions and Additional Ingredients

You can personalize this dish by adding:

• Bacon
• Chicken
• Lobster
• Caramelized Onions

Preparing in Advance

While this dish is best served fresh, you can prepare it ahead of time. If made for a crowd, keep it warm in the oven, covered with foil, until ready to serve. Though it reheats well, it’s at its best when freshly made.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container for 3-4 days.

Reheating Instructions

For the best results, reheat in an air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, or in an oven at the same temperature until warm. Microwaving is an option, but it may affect the texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dry macaroni
• 6 oz. claw crab meat
• 8 oz. shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 spring onion
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 8 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese block
• 4 oz. mozzarella cheese block
• ¼ cup panko bread crumbs
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Peel and devein the shrimp if necessary.
3. Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain well.
4. Combine drained macaroni and sour cream in a large mixing bowl until all noodles are coated.
5. Add crab meat and mix well.
6. Finely chop the green onion and grate both cheeses. Set aside.
7. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the shrimp until lightly cooked. Remove from the pan, chop slightly once cooled, and add to the macaroni mixture.
8. Sauté the chopped onions in the same saucepan until tender. Sprinkle flour over the onions, mix well, and cook for about one minute.
9. Gradually add evaporated milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
10. Slowly add grated cheddar cheese, stirring until melted.
11. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and seafood mixture, and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
12. Transfer the mixture to a well-buttered baking dish. Top with grated mozzarella cheese and panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle lightly with paprika for color.
13. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
14. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition (per serving):

Calories: 521 kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 32g

Delight in the rich flavors of this luxurious Seafood Mac and Cheese, perfect for any occasion.