Description
This creamy and comforting Seafood Mac and Cheese combines al dente cavatappi pasta with a rich, flavorful cheese sauce infused with onion powder, garlic powder, and Old Bay seasoning, loaded with succulent shrimp and imitation crab meat. Baked to perfection with a golden, bubbly cheese topping, this dish serves six and is perfect for a hearty family meal or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces cavatappi pasta (cooked to al dente per package instructions)
Cheese Sauce
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 12 ounces can evaporated milk
- 3/4 cup half & half
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (divided)
- 3/4 cup shredded gouda cheese (divided)
Seafood
- 8 ounces large cooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, and tails removed)
- 8 ounces imitation crab meat (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or similar-sized casserole dish and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then rinse in cold water to stop cooking, drain thoroughly, and set aside.
- Make Roux: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is golden and smooth, ensuring no lumps form.
- Add Dairy: Gradually whisk in the evaporated milk and half & half, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Season Sauce: Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the sauce and mix thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
- Add Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add half the mozzarella, sharp white cheddar, and gouda cheeses (1/2 cup each). Stir until all the cheese has melted completely and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Seafood: Add the cooked cavatappi pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until the pasta is well coated. Gently fold in the cooked shrimp and chopped imitation crab meat, careful not to break up the seafood too much to keep texture.
- Assemble Dish: Transfer the mac and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheeses (1/4 cup each of mozzarella, sharp white cheddar, and gouda) evenly over the top.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the top is bubbly and slightly golden. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the dish to set and flavors to meld. Enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, cook pasta slightly under al dente as it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Use fresh seafood if possible, but pre-cooked works well for convenience.
- Adjust seasoning and Old Bay amount depending on your taste preference.
- Letting the dish rest after baking helps the cheese sauce thicken and prevents it from being too runny.