What’s better than Mac and Cheese? Seafood Mac and Cheese. This Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe is everything you could ask for in a comfort food dish. It is a decadent and delicious dish that is sure to impress your guests. The combination of pasta, melted cheese, lobster, crab meat and shrimp is simply irresistible. This recipe is relatively easy to follow and the results are sure to be a hit.

How to Make Seafood Mac and Cheese

1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to the instructions on the package.
2. Prepare the Seafood: For this recipe seafood preparation is dependent on if you are using raw seafood or cooked. If you are using cooked seafood, make sure it has been thawed and ready to be used in the recipe. Using raw seafood will require proper cook time for the seafood. For this recipe I use cooked lobster, cooked crab meat and raw shrimp. Feel free to add other seafood that suit your taste.
3. Make the Cheese Sauce: For this recipe I use cheeses to make my cheese sauce (Gruyere, Muenster and Mild Cheddar Cheese). These cheeses provide the perfect flavor balance with the season. Feel free to explore other cheeses to give your mac and cheese a bolder or milder taste.
4. Combine Everything: After the pasta is cooked and the cheese sauce is made, combine everything then bake.
5. Bake: The dish should be baked in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
6. Serve: Once done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes then serve your culinary masterpiece.

Feel free to adjust the types of seasonings, cheese or seafood to suit your preferences.

Watch the Video (Video Tutorial)

Ingredients

Elbow Macaroni, Shrimp, Lobster (cooked), Crab meat (cooked),Garlic, Onion, Half and Half, All-Purpose Flour, Butter, Gruyere Cheese, Muenster Cheese, Mild Cheddar Cheese, Cajun Seasoning, Black Pepper and Salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Instructions

1. Cooking the Pasta

With a pot of water over medium heat, add 1 tsp salt to the pot then bring to a boil. Add the pasta and allow it to cook for 7 minutes stirring frequently. After 7 minutes drain the water then set it aside. Your pasta should be al dente.

Lightly grease a baking dish then add the pasta. Add 3 Tablespoons of butter and mix well. Add the crab meat, lobster and shrimp. Season with the black pepper, Cajun Seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of salt and mix until well combined. 

2. Making the Cheese Sauce

Using medium heat bring a skillet to temperature then melt the butter. Add the onions and sauté for 3 minutes or until aromatic. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Whisk in the flour and cook unitl the flour is slightly golden. This will ensure the flour is cooked.

Add the half and half and and whisk until well combined.

Bring the sauce to a light simmer then add the Gruyere, Muenster and Mild Cheddar cheeses and mix until your cheese has melted. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and mix well.

3. Baking the Mac and Cheese

Cover with foil then transfer to the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the foil and continue to cook for an addition 10 minutes then it is ready to serve. 

What goes with Seafood Mac and Cheese?

Seafood mac and cheese pairs well with many dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Green Salad: A simple salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette can balance the richness of the mac and cheese.
2. Garlic Bread or Breadsticks: A side of warm, garlicky bread can be great choice.
3. Vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or green beans can add a fresh and healthy element to the dish.
4. Coleslaw: A fresh, tangy coleslaw can give a nice contrast to the richness of the mac and cheese.
5. Fried Chicken: Crispy fried chicken is a great main dish that compliment mac and cheese well.

Can you freeze Seafood Mac and Cheese?

Yes, you can freeze seafood mac and cheese, but there are a few things to keep in mind to maintain its quality:

1. Cool it Down: Let the mac and cheese cool before freezing. This will prevent the formation of ice crystals and maintains the texture.
2. Use airtight containers or freezer bags: Use airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air from the bags before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
3. Consider Portions: If possible, freeze the mac and cheese in individual or smaller portions. This allows for easier reheating of just the amount you need.
4. Label and Date: Clearly label the containers or bags with the contents and the date of freezing. This helps you keep track of how long it’s been in the freezer.
5. Reheating: When ready to eat, thaw the seafood it overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat it gently in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of milk or half and half to maintain its creamy texture.

Freezing may slightly alter the texture of the dish upon reheating. Seafood, in particular, can sometimes change in texture when frozen and thawed, so it might not be as firm or succulent as when it was freshly made. However, the flavors should remain intact.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Recipe by Soul Food Cooking

4.3 from 3 votes

Course: SidesDifficulty: Medium

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• 1lb Elbow Macaroni

• 1 lb Shrimp

• 1/2 lb Lobster (cooked)

• 1/2 lb Crab meat (cooked)

• 2 cloves Garlic

• 1/2 Cup Onion

• 1 Cup Half and Half

• 5 Tbsps All-Purpose Flour

• 1 stick Butter

• 6oz Gruyere Cheese

• 6oz Muenster Cheese

• 6oz Mild Cheddar Cheese

• 1 tsp Cajun Seasoning

• 1 tsp Black Pepper

• 2 tsps Salt

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Add 1 tsp salt to pot of water then bring to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook for 7 minutes stirring frequently. After 7 minutes drain the water then set it aside. Lightly grease a baking dish then add the macaroni. Add 3 Tbsps of butter and mix well. Add the crab, lobster and shrimp. Season with the pepper, Cajun Seasoning, and 1 tsp of salt and mix well.
• In a frying pan melt the butter. Sauté the onions for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Whisk in the flour. Add the half and half and and whisk until well combined. Add the Gruyere, Muenster and Mild Cheddar cheeses and mix until your cheese has melted. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and mix well. Cover with foil then transfer to the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove the foil and continue to cook for an addition 10 minutes then it is ready to serve.

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