Description
A decadent and creamy baked mac and cheese loaded with tender seafood like shrimp, crab, or lobster. Perfect for special occasions or when you want to elevate comfort food to gourmet status.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb elbow macaroni or pasta of choice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 8 oz cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz lump crab meat or imitation crab
- Optional: 6 oz cooked lobster meat, chopped
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (for topping)
- 1 tablespoon butter (melted, for topping)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour to form a roux and cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream until smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until thickened, about 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Add Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Gently fold in the cooked pasta and seafood (shrimp, crab, and lobster if using).
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh, cooked seafood for the best texture and flavor.
- Old Bay seasoning adds a signature seafood flair—don’t skip it!
- For a spicy kick, add a dash of cayenne or hot sauce to the cheese sauce.
- Can be assembled ahead and baked just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: seafood mac and cheese, crab mac and cheese, shrimp pasta bake, lobster mac, cheesy seafood casserole