This Seafood Mac and Cheese is the tastiest way to use up your leftover seafood and your family will not be disappointed by this recipe.
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Seafood Mac and Cheese is so much easier than you’d think. Make this seafood mac and cheese recipe for your family this week, they will not be disappointed, in fact it will become a family favorite.
For flavor packed seafood recipe, check out this grilled seafood recipe collection.
MORE MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE
South West Mac and Cheese | Easy Skillet Mac and Cheese | Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese
What We Love About This Recipe
- 45 Minute Meal: Make this flavor packed recipe in under 45 minutes.
- Family Friendly: Your family will absolutely love this seafood mac and cheese recipe, it is to die for!
- Adaptable: Add your favorite seafoods such as scallops or lobster chunks.
Ingredient Notes
- Crab Meat: Real lump crab meat or imitation crab will work for this recipe.
- Sour Cream: Greek yogurt will work in place of sour cream for a healthier swap.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cajun Seasoning – For a Cajun twist add some Cajun seasoning to the cheese mixture and top with a sprinkle or add a little heat with cayenne pepper.
- Lobster – It you’re feeling fancy, you can also swap the crab and shrimp for lobster meat.
- Noodles – You do not have to use elbow macaroni shaped noodles, any shape of pasta will work such as cavatappi or penne.
- Cheese – Use different cheese such as sharp cheddar cheese, fontina, gruyere cheese, or Monterey jack cheese.
How to Make Shrimp Mac and Cheese
These are the basic steps for making this Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions and check out Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more great recipe ideas.
STEP 1: COOK THE MACARONI
Start by preheating oven to 350 degrees and spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with cooking oil. While preheating, cook the pasta in a large pot until al dente and drain. Add to a large bowl and fold in with sour cream, crab, and cooked shrimp.
STEP 2: MAKE THE CHEESE SAUCE
In a saucepan over medium heat, cook onion in butter until translucent. Next, stir in flour, evaporated milk, and white cheddar, whisk until melted and no lumps remain. Pour cheesy mixture over macaroni and add seasoning, mix until combined.
STEP 3: BAKE
Transfer the shrimp mac and cheese to the baking dish. Top with mozzarella, panko bread crumbs, and a sprinkle of dry parsley. Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Prep and Storage Tips
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
To make this recipe ahead of time, make the macaroni and the cheese sauce. Add to the baking dish and cover with tinfoil and refrigerate for overnight. When you are ready to cook, top with the cheese and breadcrumbs.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store leftover seafood mac and cheese recipe in air tight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
Freezer shrimp mac and cheese in the freezer for up to 3 months, allow to thaw fully before reheating.
HOW TO REHEAT THIS RECIPE
Reheat seafood mac n cheese leftovers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until to reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Add a drop or two of whole milk to thin out if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best cheeses to use for mac and cheese are cheddar, gouda, and gruyere cheese.
Fortunately, if you do not have sour cream, greek yogurt or cottage cheese will work just as well.
This recipe can easily be doubled or halved, just proptionally increase or decrease ingredients.
There are quite a few cheeses that pair well with seafood including, gruyere, parmesan, mozzarella, cojita cheese, or cheddar.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe to bring to a family holiday. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking.
- Large Skillet: You can also make this seafood mac and cheese recipe in a skillet.
- Coat: Use a little cooking spray or melted butter in the pan so the food does not stick.
- Cheese: Add a little parmesan cheese for more cheesy flavor. Garnish with nutmeg, fresh herbs or old bay seasoning.
What to Serve with Seafood Mac and Cheese
- String Bean Almondine
- Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Garlic Herb Rolls
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Seafood Mac and Cheese
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Ingredients
- 2 cups dry macaroni pasta
- 6 ounces crab meat
- 8 ounces shrimp – cooked, peeled, deveined, tail off
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 8 ounces white cheddar, shredded
- 8 ounces mozzarella, shredded
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon each paprika, salt, pepper, dry parsley
Instructions
- Start by preheating oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 13×9 baking dish with nonstick spray.
- First, cook the pasta and drain. Add to a large bowl.
- Add the sour cream, crab, and cooked shrimp to the cooked macaroni and mix until combined.
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, cook onion in butter until translucent.
- Once onion is cooked, stir in flour, evaporated milk, and white cheddar, stir until melted.
- Pour cheesy mixture over macaroni and add seasoning, mix until combined.
- Top with mozzarella, panko breadcrumbs, and a sprinkle of dry parsley.
- Bake uncovered 30 minutes.
Christina’s Notes
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- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe to bring to a family holiday. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking.
- Large Skillet: You can also make this seafood mac and cheese recipe in a skillet.
- Coat: Use a little cooking spray or melted butter in the pan so the food does not stick.
- Cheese: Add a little parmesan cheese for more cheesy flavor. Garnish with nutmeg, fresh herbs or old bay seasoning.
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- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
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