Seafood Mac and Cheese

Here’s a creamy, indulgent recipe for Seafood Mac and Cheese that combines tender pasta with a luscious cheese sauce and a mix of delicious seafood!

🦐🧀 Seafood Mac and Cheese

Serves: 4–6 | Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 30 min

🛒 Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni or your favorite pasta
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk (warm)
• 1 cup heavy cream (warm)
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup cooked seafood mix (shrimp, crab, scallops, or lobster), chopped if needed
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
• ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
• Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook Pasta:
   Boil salted water and cook macaroni until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Make Cheese Sauce:
   In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
   Add onion and garlic; sauté until softened (~3 minutes).
   Stir in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
   Gradually whisk in warm milk and cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
   Cook until sauce thickens (~5 minutes).
   Stir in cheddar, Monterey Jack, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until cheese melts.
3. Add Seafood:
   Fold in the cooked seafood gently, warming it through.
4. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
   Mix cooked pasta with cheese sauce and seafood.
5. Bake (Optional):
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
   Transfer mac and cheese to a greased baking dish.
   Mix Parmesan and breadcrumbs and sprinkle evenly on top.
   Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
6. Serve:
   Garnish with fresh parsley or chives. Serve hot.

📝 Tips & Variations

• Use a mix of cheeses like gouda or fontina for a richer flavor.
• Swap half the seafood for cooked bacon or ham for a surf-and-turf twist.
• Add a pinch of cayenne for a little heat.