Description
Creamy seafood mac and cheese blends ocean-fresh flavors with classic comfort. Succulent shrimp and tender crab mingle with rich, velvety cheese sauce, creating a luxurious pasta experience you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 6 ounces (170 grams) claw crab meat
- 8 ounces (227 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
Pasta and Dairy
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) dry macaroni
- 8 ounces (227 grams) sour cream
- 8 ounces (227 grams) block sharp white cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces (113 grams) block mozzarella cheese
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) butter
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) flour
Seasonings and Toppings
- 1 spring onion
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) panko bread crumbs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F (175°C), preparing a welcoming environment for the seafood mac and cheese.
- Clean and prepare the shrimp by removing shells and veins if they haven’t been pre-processed.
- Cook macaroni in boiling water until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly to prevent waterlogged pasta.
- Transfer the drained pasta into a spacious mixing vessel, creating the foundation for the seafood creation.
- Incorporate sour cream into the pasta, ensuring each noodle receives a smooth, creamy coating.
- Gently fold in delicate crab meat, distributing it evenly throughout the pasta mixture.
- Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté shrimp until they turn a gentle pink, then remove and allow to cool slightly before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- In the same pan, sauté finely chopped spring onions until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Dust the softened onions with flour, creating a roux that will thicken the sauce and provide a rich base.
- Slowly stream in evaporated milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and create a silky smooth sauce.
- Gradually introduce grated sharp white cheddar, stirring until the cheese melts completely and integrates into the sauce.
- Pour the luscious cheese sauce over the seafood-pasta mixture, stirring to ensure complete coverage.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper, balancing the flavors of seafood and cheese.
- Transfer the combined mixture into a generously buttered baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle a layer of grated mozzarella cheese across the top, creating a golden, bubbling surface.
- Scatter panko breadcrumbs over the cheese for a crisp, textural contrast.
- Dust with a light sprinkle of paprika to add a warm, inviting color and subtle depth.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, watching for a beautiful golden-brown crust to develop.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest briefly before serving, ensuring the flavors have melded perfectly.
Notes
- Customize seafood choices by mixing in different types like scallops or lobster for a unique flavor profile.
- Opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Enhance protein content by adding extra seafood or including diced cooked bacon for a savory crunch.
- Balance richness by using low-fat dairy options without compromising the creamy texture of the mac and cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg