Seafood Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Comfort Food with a Gourmet Twist

Craving something creamy, cheesy, and a little fancy? Look no further than seafood mac and cheese—a rich, satisfying dish that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and special occasions. Combining tender pasta, a velvety cheese sauce, and succulent seafood, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser. Let’s dive into the benefits, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions for making this irresistible comfort food classic.

Recipe Card

Recipe name: Seafood Mac and Cheese

Description: A creamy, cheesy comfort food with a gourmet twist, this seafood mac and cheese combines pasta, cheese, and succulent seafood for an unforgettable dining experience.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 422 kcal

Ingredients

Mac and Cheese:

• 1 pound (16 oz) San Giorgio® Cavatappi pasta
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ½ cup white onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon seafood seasoning
• 3 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded and divided
• 1 pound seafood, cooked (shrimp, scallops, crab, or a mix)

Crunchy Topping:

• ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon seafood seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
• Parsley or chives for topping

Instructions

1. Prep the oven and pasta: Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta according to package instructions, but stop 1 minute before the “al dente” time. Drain and set aside.
2. Make the cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, gently melt the butter over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant. Whisk in the flour to create a paste. Slowly add milk, nutmeg, and seafood seasoning, whisking until the mixture begins to bubble. Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups white cheddar and ¾ cup parmesan.
3. Combine pasta, cheese, and seafood: Toss cooked pasta and seafood into the cheese sauce. Stir until combined. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
4. Make the crunchy topping: In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, seafood seasoning, and white pepper.
5. Assemble and bake: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and parmesan over the pasta. Add the panko topping. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top.
6. Rest and serve: Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives.

Notes

• You can use lower-fat milk, but the sauce may be thinner.
• Quality pasta like San Giorgio® Cavatappi gives you the perfect texture to hold the creamy sauce.
• Customize the seafood blend by using shrimp, crab, scallops, mussels, or calamari.
• For extra flavor, try Creole or Cajun seasoning, but add gradually to avoid over-seasoning.

Nutrition Information

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 422 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 486 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 56 mg

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. A Gourmet Twist on a Classic Favorite
If you love traditional mac and cheese, you’ll be blown away by this elevated version. The addition of fresh, succulent seafood like shrimp, scallops, and crab takes the humble dish to a whole new level. It’s rich, creamy, and indulgent—perfect for dinner parties, date nights, or when you just want to treat yourself.

2. Creamy, Cheesy Perfection
This seafood mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. The velvety smooth cheese sauce coats every curve of the cavatappi pasta, ensuring every bite is packed with cheesy goodness. White cheddar, parmesan, and a hint of seafood seasoning combine to create a flavor profile that’s bold, savory, and unforgettable.

3. Customizable to Your Taste
Love shrimp but not scallops? Prefer crab over mussels? No problem! This recipe is endlessly versatile, allowing you to choose your favorite seafood combination. You can also experiment with different cheeses, like fontina, smoked gruyère, or sharp cheddar, to create a flavor that’s truly your own.

4. Perfect for Special Occasions or Weeknight Dinners
Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, a dinner party, or just craving something indulgent for a weeknight meal, seafood mac and cheese fits the bill. It’s elegant enough to impress guests but easy enough to prepare on a busy weeknight. Plus, the crunchy panko topping adds a satisfying texture that will have everyone asking for seconds.

5. Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly
This recipe is as practical as it is delicious. You can prepare it ahead of time, store it in the fridge, and bake it when you’re ready. It also freezes beautifully, making it a perfect option for meal prep or busy weeknights. Just reheat and enjoy all that creamy, seafood-studded goodness whenever the craving strikes!

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

• San Giorgio® Cavatappi: Its corkscrew shape holds the cheese sauce perfectly, but elbows, penne, or rotini work too.
• Seafood: Use a mix of shrimp, crab, scallops, or mussels. Imitation crab is a budget-friendly option.
• Cheese: White cheddar and parmesan are a classic combo, but sharp cheddar, smoked gruyère, or fontina can be swapped in.
• Seasoning: Seafood seasoning is key for flavor. Creole or Cajun blends add heat.

How to Make Seafood Mac and Cheese (Step-by-Step)

Making seafood mac and cheese from scratch may seem fancy, but it’s surprisingly simple. With a few basic techniques, you’ll have a creamy, cheesy, seafood-filled masterpiece ready to impress family and friends. Follow this step-by-step guide for a foolproof result every time.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by cooking the pasta. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook 1 pound of San Giorgio® Cavatappi pasta. Cook it for one minute less than the package instructions for “al dente.” This prevents overcooking, as it will continue cooking while baking in the oven. Drain the pasta, toss it with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking, and set it aside.

Pro Tip: Slightly undercooking the pasta ensures it stays firm and absorbs the cheesy, creamy sauce while baking.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Sauce

This step is where the magic happens! The creamy, velvety cheese sauce is the heart of seafood mac and cheese. Here’s how to make it:

1. Sauté the aromatics: In a large pan, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add ½ cup of chopped onions and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
2. Make a roux: Sprinkle in 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes. This step thickens the sauce and ensures a smooth, creamy texture.
3. Add the milk: Slowly pour in 3 cups of whole milk while whisking continuously. This helps avoid lumps. Let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring until it thickens to a smooth, silky consistency.
4. Season and flavor: Add 1/8 teaspoon of ground nutmeg and ½ teaspoon of seafood seasoning to the sauce. This is where the classic flavor of seafood mac and cheese comes to life.
5. Melt the cheese: Turn off the heat and stir in 2 cups of shredded white cheddar cheese and ¾ cup of shredded parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and well blended into the sauce.

Pro Tip: For an extra creamy sauce, use whole milk instead of low-fat milk. Whole milk provides a rich, silky texture that clings perfectly to the pasta.

Step 3: Add the Seafood and Pasta

Now it’s time to bring everything together. This step transforms the classic mac and cheese into an irresistible seafood mac and cheese.

1. Add the seafood: Fold in 1 pound of cooked seafood (shrimp, scallops, crab, or a mix of all three) into the cheese sauce. Make sure to cut any large pieces of seafood into bite-sized chunks so they distribute evenly.
2. Add the pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the cheese and seafood mixture. Gently stir everything together, ensuring every pasta curl is coated in the cheesy, seafood-packed sauce.

Pro Tip: Using a combination of shrimp, scallops, and crab gives your seafood mac and cheese a luxurious, restaurant-style vibe. If you’re short on time, pre-cooked frozen seafood works well too.

Step 4: Make the Crunchy Topping

A crispy, golden-brown topping takes seafood mac and cheese to the next level. Here’s how to make it:

1. Mix the breadcrumbs: In a small bowl, combine ¾ cup of panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ½ teaspoon of seafood seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon of ground white pepper.
2. Stir until coated: Use a fork to evenly distribute the oil and seasoning throughout the panko breadcrumbs. This ensures a crispy, golden-brown finish.

Pro Tip: Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, giving you that irresistible crunch on top.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

With all the components ready, it’s time to bake the masterpiece. Here’s how to do it:

1. Layer the cheese: Pour the pasta, cheese, and seafood mixture into a greased 2-quart baking dish. Spread it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded white cheddar and ¼ cup of parmesan cheese.
2. Add the crunchy topping: Sprinkle the panko breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top. This will create that signature golden-brown, crispy crust.
3. Bake it: Bake the seafood mac and cheese in a preheated oven at 400°F for 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top. If you want an extra crispy crust, broil it for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end, but keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Pro Tip: Let the baked mac and cheese rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the cheese to set, making it easier to cut and serve perfect portions.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Presentation matters and a little garnish adds a fresh, vibrant touch to the finished dish.

1. Add fresh herbs: Sprinkle fresh parsley or chives on top for a burst of color and freshness.
2. Serve it hot: Seafood mac and cheese is best served warm and gooey straight from the oven. Pair it with garlic bread, a side salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

Pro Tip: For an upscale presentation, serve seafood mac and cheese in individual ramekins. This makes it feel like a restaurant-quality dish and allows for perfect, personal portions.

Expert Tips for Success

• Don’t overcook the pasta—It will continue to cook in the oven.
• Use fresh seafood for the best flavor, but frozen works in a pinch.
• Make it crispy—Panko breadcrumbs create a golden, crunchy crust.
• Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother cheese sauce.

Variations and Customizations

• Spicy Version: Add Cajun or Creole seasoning for a spicy twist.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use vegan cheese and dairy-free milk.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerate: Keep it in an airtight container, and it will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals.

Serving Suggestions

Pair seafood mac and cheese with:

• Garlic bread
• Simple side salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Lemon butter asparagus

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use different types of seafood for Seafood Mac and Cheese?
Yes, you can use a variety of seafood options. Small, bite-sized seafood works best, like bay scallops, salad shrimp, crab meat (king crab, blue crab, or imitation), large shrimp (cut into smaller pieces), large scallops (cut into smaller pieces), mussels, clams, or squid (calamari). The total weight should be around 1 pound.

Can I freeze seafood mac and cheese?
Yes, you can freeze it. Place it in a freezer-safe container, and it can be stored for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

How do I prevent the sauce from curdling?
Use whole milk and avoid high heat when making the roux. Stir constantly and add cheese off the heat.

Related Recipes

If you love the bold flavors and creamy texture of seafood mac and cheese, you’ll want to explore these equally irresistible dishes. Each one offers a unique twist on classic comfort food, ensuring your next meal is just as memorable.

• Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta: If you’re a fan of seafood in your pasta, this Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta is a must-try. It’s loaded with plump, juicy shrimp tossed in a buttery garlic sauce over al dente pasta. It’s a lighter, zesty alternative to seafood mac and cheese, but still delivers that seafood-packed flavor punch.
• Lobster Mac and Cheese: Take your mac and cheese game to the next level with Lobster Mac and Cheese. This upscale version features buttery lobster meat folded into a rich, creamy cheese sauce. It’s a luxurious dish perfect for date nights, special celebrations, or when you just feel like treating yourself. If you love the seafood vibe in seafood mac and cheese, then this elevated version will be your new favorite.
• Four-Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese: For those who can’t get enough cheese, the Four-Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese is a cheesy dream come true. Made with a blend of cheddar, gruyère, mozzarella, and parmesan, it’s baked to golden perfection. While it doesn’t feature seafood, the creamy texture, and crispy breadcrumb topping will remind you of the best parts of seafood mac and cheese.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the perfect combination of comfort and elegance, seafood mac and cheese is the answer. It’s rich, cheesy, and filled with tender seafood in every bite. Plus, it’s versatile—serve it as a side or main dish. Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting a holiday gathering, or treating yourself, this dish will wow everyone at the table. Try it today, and let us know how it turns out!

What’s your favorite seafood mix for this dish? Share your ideas in the comments below!