Description
Creamy seafood mac delight combines succulent lobster, crab, and shrimp in a rich, cheesy sauce. Gourmet comfort awaits with this luxurious pasta dish that promises satisfaction for passionate home cooks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb raw, deveined shrimp (tails removed)
- ½–¾ lb chopped lobster (raw or pre-steamed)
- ½–¾ lb lump crab meat
- 1 lb penne or large elbow pasta
- 3 cups grated Gouda or Monterey Jack cheese
- 3 cups grated Muenster or mild Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups half & half
- 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup diced onion
- 1–2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1–2 tbsps Grand Diamond All Purpose Seasoning (or your preferred all-purpose seasoning)
- 2–3 tsp hot sauce or Tabasco
- 1–2 tsp liquid crab boil (optional, for extra flavor)
- Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
- Nonstick cooking spray (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Finely dice vegetables, grate cheeses, and season seafood with salt, pepper, and aromatic herbs to elevate flavor profile.
- Pasta Foundation: Boil macaroni in salted water until al dente, drain, and lightly toss with olive oil to prevent sticking. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sauce Creation: Warm milk and half & half. In a skillet, melt butter and oil, sauté onions until translucent. Develop a roux by sprinkling flour, incorporating garlic and thyme, cooking briefly to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Cheese Fusion: Whisk warmed dairy into roux, creating a velvety base. Enhance with salt, white pepper, and nutmeg. Gradually melt cheese blend until smooth and homogeneous.
- Assembly: Combine macaroni with cheese sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, strategically layering seafood and additional cheese for maximum flavor distribution.
- Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil, bake for 25-30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 10-15 minutes until top achieves golden-brown perfection and seafood reaches optimal doneness.
- Finishing Touch: Rest the dish 5-7 minutes to allow sauce to set and flavors to meld. Serve piping hot, showcasing the luxurious seafood mac and cheese creation.
Notes
- Seafood Selection Tip: Choose fresh, high-quality seafood for the most authentic and delicious flavor profile. Avoid frozen or pre-cooked seafood to maintain optimal texture and taste.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Grate cheeses yourself for smoother melting and better integration into the sauce. Use a combination of sharp and mild cheeses to create a complex, rich flavor.
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Cook macaroni just shy of al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven. This prevents mushy texture and ensures perfectly tender pasta in the final dish.
- Foil Covering Strategy: Use aluminum foil during initial baking to trap moisture and prevent excessive browning. Remove foil for the final baking stage to create a crispy, golden-brown cheese crust.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking, Boiling, Sautéing.
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg