
Shrimp and Crab Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a family favorite in our home so we like to spice it up once in a while with a few add ons.
Crab and shrimp are always in season around here and easy to prepare.
The frozen brands in the store will work just as well. And they are time friendly, too. Mock crab will do to keep the costs down.
Use your favorite combinations of seafood to make this dish.
I have used shrimp and crab here. But salmon, cod, trout or whitefish also are great add ons.
these are the INGREDIENTS you will need:
- 2 cups of Penne pasta
- 6 oz. Claw Crab Meat
- 8 oz. Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz. Sour Cream
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- 1 medium Spring Onion
- 1 can Evaporated Milk
- 8 oz. block Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
- 4 oz. block Mozzarella Cheese
- ¼ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 2 dashes Salt and black pepper to taste
these are the INSTRUCTIONS for preparation:
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Peel and de-vein shrimp if needed.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
- Place drained pasta in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the crab meat, stir well.
- Add the sour cream, stir together well, until all noodles are coated.
- Finely chop the green onion. Set Aside.
- Grate the white cheddar cheese. Set aside.
- Grate the mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan, or skillet.
- Add the shrimp. Turn and stir shrimp until lightly done.
- Remove shrimp from pan. Chop slightly when cooled. Add to the macaroni mixture.
- Add the finely chopped onions to the sauce pan, sauté until tender.
- Sprinkle flour over onions and mix well. Let cook and brown for about one minute.
- Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly until mixture begins to thicken.
- Gradually add the grated Cheddar Cheese, stirring constantly until cheese melts.
- Pour cheese mixture over the macaroni and seafood mixture. Stir well to combine.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the mixture in a well buttered baking dish.
- Sprinkle top with grated mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of the mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle lightly with Paprika, to add color.
- Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.
- Serve warm and Enjoy!
Don’t be put off by the number of steps in this dish. Most of them are adding each ingredient at the correct time.
If you buy mainly already prepared shrimp and grated cheeses this recipe will practically make itself!
If you like your mac and cheese a little creamier, add another half cup of milk to the recipe when adding the evaporated milk.
This dish in my opinion is the epitome of comfort food.
It takes the comfort food of the mac and cheese pastas as well as the cheeses and adds a flair to a classic dish.
it is still fit for the kids, but takes this dish to another level.
When served at a luncheon or special occasion, your guests will be amazed at just how delicious mac and cheese can be.
At that first bite, any adult will raise their eyebrows at the unexpected flavors.
Using such healthy additions will cause the adults in the room to tell the kiddos, “Nah. You wouldn’t like this.” and point to the standard variety on another plate.
They will never be the wiser.
Easy and quick, you can serve up a warm and filling meal after a long and stressful day and still be able to have time to relax after dinner..
Put the kiddos to bed and enjoy that nice “grownup” beverage with your favorite person.
Get to know each other again and make this a food staple for the next date night in your home.
Shrimp and Crab Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 cups of Penne pasta
- 6 oz. Claw Crab Meat
- 8 oz. Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz. Sour Cream
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Tablespoons Flour
- 1 medium Spring Onion
- 1 can Evaporated Milk
- 8 oz. block Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
- 4 oz. block Mozzarella Cheese
- ¼ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 2 dashes Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Peel and de-vein shrimp if needed.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
- Place drained pasta in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the crab meat, stir well.
- Add the sour cream, stir together well, until all noodles are coated.
- Finely chop the green onion. Set Aside.
- Grate the white cheddar cheese. Set aside.
- Grate the mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan, or skillet.
- Add the shrimp. Turn and stir shrimp until lightly done.
- Remove shrimp from pan. Chop slightly when cooled. Add to the macaroni mixture.
- Add the finely chopped onions to the sauce pan, sauté until tender.
- Sprinkle flour over onions and mix well. Let cook and brown for about one minute.
- Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly until mixture begins to thicken.
- Gradually add the grated Cheddar Cheese, stirring constantly until cheese melts.
- Pour cheese mixture over the macaroni and seafood mixture. Stir well to combine.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the mixture in a well buttered baking dish.
- Sprinkle top with grated mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of the mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle lightly with Paprika, to add color.
- Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.
- Serve warm and Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
Conversion Information We get a lot of requests to help with conversions especially between various countries like Canada, the U.K. and Australia. These tables should help you make those conversions. For your convenience we have included a Conversion Chart.
Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.
A little late, but – Thanks for sharing at last week’s What’s for Dinner party! Hope to see you this week too! Enjoy your day.
Never too late Helen. I know what a time crunch can do at times. Thanks for hosting each week!
Oh my goodness, you create some of the most fantastic meals. My mouth is watering now!
Thank you so much Antoinette for those kind words. I hope you get the opportunity to try this soon! Enjoy.
As always Marilyn, this looks delicious. Thank you for sharing at #omhgww. Your post will be socialized if buttons are available. See you next week.
Thank you Clearissa! This shrimp and crab mac n cheese is a dish you are going to keep away from the kids. Enjoy!
My kids would LOVE this!
Thanks Michelle. I think this is the most grown-up mac and cheese! Enjoy!
I saw all of your Mac and Cheese recipes at the Mini Linky Party, and I had to check them out! So much comfort food! I think I will have to make some of them for my lunches at work!
Thank you so much Bethany for the kind words and letting me know your thoughts!! I hope you get to try a few. If you do, please come back and let me know how it turned out! Enjoy your dy.
I love mac n cheese and crab and shrimp!!!
Thanks for linking up with us Live every Wednesday at 7AM CT.
liz
Thank you for visiting Liz. I love Welcome Home Wednesdays! Enjoy your week.
Mac and Cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods. Your recipe looks delicious! Thank you for linking it up at the #HomeMattersParty this week.
Thank you Nicole for your kind comment. Have a great week!
I love jazzing up mac & cheese like this! So happy you shared it with us at #FridayFrivolity this week!
I am so glad you like it Lisa. I am loving taking comfort food to a new level!
Num! How rich and delish! Thanks for sharing this at Throwback Thursday this week.
Mollie
Thanks Mollie. I love the fact your can leave it plain for the kids and then add what you like for the adults!
I could see my son eating the whole dish full by himself. It looks great.
Kathleen
Bloggers Pit Stop where you see awesome recipes.
It was tempting Kathleen. I just noticed a typo in the servings. 8-0? Maybe I should fix that….or not! Have a great week.
This looks so wonderfully decadent! I’m wanting some right now. 🙂
You better be hungry because this one is addictive! Thanks CJ. Have a relaxing and safe holiday!
Marilyn, this sounds delectable and would be something I would make for supper! I love seafood anything Thank you for sharing with us at #SimplifyWednesdays Pinned, Shared, Tweeted, Yummed
I m glad you like it Carla. Enjoy your day!
I am drooling as I look at this. What a wonderful combination. Thanks for sharing on #tastyTuesdays
Thank you Audrey. I am glad you like the combo!
This sounds decadent and delicious! Mac and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Thanks for sharing. (dropped by during the Thurs Favorite Things Link)
You are welcoe Sue. Thanks for partying at #ThursdayFavoriteThings!
Decadent! Love shrimp & crab in anything!
I agree Cathy. Thanks!
The Mr. would flip for this one!
I found this one when I was pregnant. Kept it as it was so good. Who would have thought!
What a great comfort dish! YUM!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks Jess!
This looks absolutely scrumptious, Marilyn. Thanks for sharing your grown-up mac and cheese at the Over the Moon Link Party.
Thanks Sandy. I am glad you liked it!
Sounds fabulous to me! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Yummed & Tweeted! Have a great week!
Kim
Thank you Kim!
I am a vegetarian, so, cannot comment on this. But it definitely looks delicious! I would just substitute the shrimp and crab for veggies! 🙂 Loving the #overthemoon party!
I have tried to embrace vegetarianism a few times. But I don’t like veggies in unless they are raw or have sauce on them. I was always hungry! Have a relaxing week!
It’s what’s for dinner!! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up
You are welcome Helen! Love partying at your dinner table!
Wow—how can this not be good?
I love how you make my mouth water, Marilyn!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks Jodie. You made me smile!
OH! Have to add this to my to make list!
Thanks Marilyn
Hugs,’
Linda
Thanks Linda! Enjoy!
This sounds both kind of crazy and kind of amazing – definitely will have to try this recipe 🙂
It is a real treat if you like seafood and comfort food! Thanks for leaving your thoughts. Have a great week!
Another delicious looking meal from you Marilyn, I wish I could be so creative in the kitchen! This must be amazing!
Thank you Katrin. I have very picky eaters at my house. Enjoy your week.