Seafood Mac and Cheese

This Seafood Mac and Cheese is a rich and indulgent dish—creamy macaroni and cheese loaded with tender shrimp, crab, or lobster, then baked until golden and bubbly. A comforting twist on a classic favorite!

Ingredients

For the pasta:

1 lb 450 g elbow macaroni (or cavatappi)

1 tablespoon salt for boiling water

For the cheese sauce:

4 tablespoon unsalted butter

¼ cup all-purpose flour

4 cups whole milk warmed

1 cup heavy cream

2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or paprika + pinch cayenne

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste

¼ teaspoon black pepper

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded

1 cup Gruyère cheese shredded (or Swiss)

½ cup Parmesan cheese grated

For the seafood:

½ lb 225 g shrimp, peeled and deveined

½ lb 225 g lump crab meat (or imitation crab)

½ lb 225 g scallops (small, or cut in half if large)

1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

Pinch of salt & pepper

Optional topping:

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tablespoon butter melted

2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Cook the pasta:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Cook the seafood:

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.

Make the cheese sauce:

3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1–2 minutes to form a roux. Slowly whisk in warm milk and cream until smooth. Stir in Dijon, Old Bay, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer gently until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar, Gruyère, and Parmesan until melted and creamy.

Combine:

5. Add cooked pasta and seafood to the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is coated.

Bake (optional):

6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer mixture to a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish. Mix panko with melted butter and Parmesan, sprinkle over the top. Bake uncovered 20 minutes, until golden and bubbly.