Shrimp And Crab Mac And Cheese Recipe
If you are looking for a delicious and unique mac and cheese recipe, look no further than this shrimp and crab version. This dish is perfect for a special occasion or family dinner and is sure to impress your guests. This recipe is easy to make and will be a hit with everyone at the table. Let's get started!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup cooked crab meat
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions.
- While the macaroni is cooking, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the flour and whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream, then stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Gently fold in the cooked shrimp and crab meat.
- Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and melted butter.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips:
Here are some tips to help make your shrimp and crab mac and cheese recipe even better:
- Use high-quality cheese for a richer flavor.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will add more flavor than pre-grated Parmesan cheese.
- If you are short on time, you can use canned crab meat instead of fresh crab meat.
- Feel free to add more seasoning to taste.
- If you want a more crunchy topping, mix in some panko breadcrumbs with the regular breadcrumbs.
Conclusion:
This shrimp and crab mac and cheese recipe is a delicious and unique twist on a classic dish. The combination of seafood and cheese makes for a rich and savory meal that everyone will love. Serve it for a special occasion or family dinner and watch as your guests rave about your cooking skills. Try it out today and see for yourself!