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Delicious Ways to Make Seafood Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta and Seafood:

  • 1 pound macaroni or elbow pasta
  • 1 cup cooked lobster meat, chopped
  • 1 cup cooked crab meat
  • 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined

For the Cheese Sauce:

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cups shredded cheese blend (recommend a mix of sharp cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan)
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Topping:

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Cook the Pasta:
    • Cook the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Make the Cheese Sauce:
    • In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking for about 1 minute.
    • Gradually add the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble.
    • Lower the heat and add the shredded cheese blend, mustard powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
  4. Combine Pasta and Seafood:
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, lobster, crab, and shrimp. Pour the cheese sauce over the top and gently stir to combine.
  5. Transfer to Baking Dish:
    • Pour the pasta and seafood mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
  6. Prepare the Topping:
    • In a small bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
  7. Bake:
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling.
  8. Garnish and Serve:
    • Let the mac and cheese sit for a few minutes after removing it from the oven. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
  • Author: Maria