Description
Creamy Seafood Mac and Cheese elevates comfort food with succulent shrimp and tender crab nestled in a rich, velvety sauce. Cheesy pasta lovers will savor this luxurious coastal twist that brings ocean flavors to classic mac and cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 6 ounces (170 grams) claw crab meat
- 8 ounces (227 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Cheese
- 8 ounces (227 grams) block sharp white cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces (113 grams) block mozzarella cheese
Base and Additional Ingredients
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) dry macaroni
- 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 spring onion
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) panko bread crumbs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring a ready baking environment for the seafood mac and cheese.
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions, then drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Coat the noodles completely with sour cream, creating a creamy base for the dish.
- Gently fold crab meat into the macaroni mixture, distributing it evenly throughout.
- Prepare ingredients by finely chopping green onions and grating white cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté shrimp until just cooked. Remove, let cool slightly, then chop and incorporate into the macaroni mixture.
- Using the same pan, create a roux by adding flour to remaining butter and cooking for 1-2 minutes. Gradually whisk in evaporated milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Remove sauce from heat, then stir in grated cheeses until completely melted and integrated. Season with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and seafood mixture, then add chopped green onions. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer the combined mixture to a baking dish and generously sprinkle panko bread crumbs across the top for a crispy texture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and the edges become bubbly, indicating the dish is heated through and ready to serve.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality seafood for the most robust flavor and tender texture in your mac and cheese.
- Drain pasta completely to prevent watery sauce and ensure the creamy consistency remains thick and rich.
- Slightly undercook shrimp to prevent rubbery texture, as they will continue cooking in the oven during baking.
- Replace panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version of this decadent seafood dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg