Decadent Seafood Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Dive into the ultimate comfort food with this Decadent Seafood Baked Macaroni and Cheese! This gourmet twist on a classic features tender elbow macaroni smothered in a rich, velvety cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyere, and savory Parmesan. Bursting with the ocean’s finest—succulent shrimp, delicate lump crab meat, and buttery sea scallops—this dish is baked to perfection with a golden, crunchy panko breadcrumb topping infused with fresh parsley and olive oil. Perfect for a luxurious family dinner or an indulgent special occasion, this seafood mac and cheese is a creamy, cheesy, and utterly crave-worthy masterpiece that brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1.5 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 lb cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz lump crab meat
- 8 oz sea scallops, diced into small pieces
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk to form a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to create a smooth sauce. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat to low.
Add the cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan cheeses to the sauce, a handful at a time, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
Gently fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce, ensuring every piece is coated.
Add the shrimp, crab meat, and diced scallops into the mixture, stirring gently to combine evenly.
Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil and parsley. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the mac and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
Let the dish cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional parsley if desired and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6379 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 322.6 g | 414% | |
| Saturated Fat | 179.8 g | 899% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1984 mg | 661% | |
| Sodium | 8695 mg | 378% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 454.6 g | 165% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.3 g | 72% | |
| Total Sugars | 55.3 g | ||
| Protein | 405.5 g | 811% | |
| Vitamin D | 10.2 mcg | 51% | |
| Calcium | 5000 mg | 385% | |
| Iron | 28.5 mg | 158% | |
| Potassium | 4328 mg | 92% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
