Seafood Mac and Cheese with Old Bay

You don’t have to spend top dollar at a restaurant when you can make Seafood Mac and Cheese for half the price of going out.

This Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe is an indulgent treat that anyone can make at home.

You can add whatever seafood you like. I had lobster, shrimp, and crab in this seafood Mac and cheese, but scallops are also a great option.

Served in individual cast iron skillets or in a large casserole dish, either way, this seafood Mac is loaded with fantastic seafood and cheesy goodness.

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Ingredient List

Seafood

• Lobster Knuckle and Claw Meat (cooked)
• Crab Meat Claw or Backfin (cooked)
• Shrimp 21/25 count (cooked)

Mac and Cheese

• Macaroni 
• Velveeta
• Heavy Cream
• Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
• Pepper Jack Cheese, Shredded
• Parmesan Cheese, Grated
• Old Bay
• Dry Sherry, cooking wine (optional)
• Fresh Parsley, Chopped
• Worcestershire

Topping

• Ritz Crackers, Crushed
• Butter, Melted
• Parmesan, Grated
• Fresh Parsley, Chopped

Recipe Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Boil macaroni in a pot of salted water for about 8 minutes until tender then drains and set aside. Save 1 cup of pasta water.
3. Toast the crushed ritz crackers in a pan with melted butter, chopped parsley, and parmesan cheese for about 1 minute, then remove from the heat and set aside.
4. In a large saute pan, add heavy cream, old bay, dry sherry, and Worcestershire. Simmer on low, occasionally stirring until heavy cream begins to bubble up. Next, add in the cubed Velveeta and whisk until smooth.
5. Stir in the macaroni and crab meat along with 4 oz of chopped shrimp and 4 oz of chopped lobster. Simmer on low until the seafood and macaroni are warm, then begin adding the shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheese a handful at a time until all the cheese has melted. Finally, fold in the fresh chopped parsley.
6. Transfer equal portions of the mac and cheese mixture to individual cast iron skillets or one large skillet, then top with the crushed ritz cracker mixture, then top with remaining whole shrimp and lobster meat. Spray the seafood lightly with cooking spray to prevent it from drying out. Bake for about 15 minutes until the top is golden and the seafood is warm.

Tips for Making Seafood Mac and Cheese

• Salt your water. You can use about 1 tbsp for every 2 quarts of water to add flavor to your noodles.
• Save 1 cup of the salted pasta water. If your sauce is too thick, you can add a few tablespoons of pasta water to achieve the desired consistency.
• Add the seafood to each serving, so everyone gets equal portions of the seafood. I add the whole shrimp and lobster on top of each portion. I do add the crab and some chopped shrimp and lobster to the sauce.
• If you are prepping the noodles ahead of time, rinse the noodles under cold water. Then toss with a tablespoon of olive oil before storing in a sealed container.
• When preparing the sauce, never let the sauce come to a boil once the cheese has been added. The cheese will separate and become oily. You can simmer the heavy cream at the beginning without any issues.

More Seafood Recipes You Will Love

• Maryland Style Smoked Crab Cakes
• Chesapeake Crab Butter Sauce
• Stuffed Flounder w/ Crab Imperial
• Seafood Salad Sandwich
• New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
• Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Crispy Skin
• Traeger Smoked Salmon

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