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Seafood Mac and Cheese

A comforting blend of macaroni, shrimp, scallops, and crab enveloped in a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for special occasions or weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 680
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the pasta
  • 1 lb elbow macaroni (or cavatappi)
  • 1 Tbsp salt (for boiling water)
For the cheese sauce
  • 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 paprika + 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)
For the seafood
  • 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 lb lump crab meat (or imitation crab)
  • 1/2 lb scallops (small, or cut in half if large)
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter
  • 1 pinch salt & pepper
Optional topping
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 Tbsp butter (melted)
  • 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add shrimp and scallops, cooking 2–3 minutes per side until just opaque. Stir in crab gently. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
Making the cheese sauce
  1. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
  2. Slowly whisk in warm milk and cream until smooth. Stir in Dijon, Old Bay, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Simmer gently until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
Combining and baking
  1. Add cooked pasta and seafood to the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is coated.
  2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer mixture to a buttered 9x13-inch baking dish. Mix panko with melted butter and Parmesan, sprinkle over the top.
  3. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

Notes

Serve hot from the oven for the best experience. Consider pairing with a side salad or garlic bread. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.