{"id":2050600,"date":"2024-10-16T09:23:21","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T14:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?post_type=recipe&p=2050600"},"modified":"2024-10-16T09:36:47","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T14:36:47","slug":"seafood-mac-and-cheese","status":"publish","type":"recipe","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/recipes\/seafood-mac-and-cheese\/","title":{"rendered":"Seafood Mac and Cheese"},"content":{"rendered":"
What if you took your classic mac and cheese<\/a> and gave it a sophisticated spin? It would look a little something like seafood mac and cheese. This version features lobster meat and shrimp mixed with a cheese blend and some extra heat. It feels (and is) luxurious, but you can make and enjoy it in your pajamas. Pair it with a chef salad<\/a>, garlic bread<\/a> or a glass of champagne<\/a>.<\/p>\n Preheat your oven to 400\u00b0F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.<\/p>\n In a large saucepot, heat 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook until lightly browned, whisking constantly. Gradually add the milk and cook until thickened, three to four minutes, whisking occasionally. Stir in the Gruyere, cheddar, salt, ground mustard, pepper, nutmeg, cayenne and hot sauce until smooth. Add the cooked pasta, lobster and shrimp until they’re coated in the cheese sauce.<\/p>\n Transfer this mixture to a greased 13×9-inch baking dish. In a small microwaveable bowl, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter for about 30 seconds. Stir in the panko bread crumbs and Parmesan. Sprinkle the mixture in an even layer on top.<\/p>\n Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.<\/p>\n You can store your seafood mac and cheese in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to use an airtight container. We recommend reheating on the stove or oven, but you can also pop it into the microwave.<\/p>\n Yes, you can freeze seafood mac and cheese for up to two months. We recommend portioning out individual servings if you’re planning to meal prep.<\/p>\n Some people say not to mix cheese and seafood, but seafood mac and cheese, Caesar salad<\/a>\u00a0and a bagel with lox and cream cheese (or a smoked salmon<\/a> cream cheese) are proof these ingredients belong together. As in this recipe, Parmesan mixed with breadcrumbs can make a savory topping. Gruyere is also a good choice, and you’ll often see it used with a variety of fish. I also love a goat cheese and seafood combo. You just want to make sure that the taste of the cheese doesn’t overpower the more delicate seafood notes.<\/p>\n Imitation lobster (or crab) can also work, and you can make mock lobster<\/a> at home. Canned lobster is also a valid choice, although fresh is always going to be the tastiest. If you can’t find any at your local store, you can take advantage of lobster delivery<\/a> boxes.<\/p>\n We recommend buying fresh cheese and grating it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as well, and we much prefer the flavor of fresh cheese.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Comfort food gets an upgrade with seafood mac and cheese. Our recipe pairs lobster and shrimp with a blend of cheeses and a little bit of heat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6879,"featured_media":2064722,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false},"tags":[303972,303971,304162,304292,305487,307049,303966,303887,306848,306317,304268,307514,306297,324623,307064,304028,304005,304150,303883],"categories-v2":[308503,308500,309439,308988,308481,308305,310796,310085,308495,308478,309603,312180,259483,310497,312156,309177,310142,308609,308549,309434,308476],"coauthors":[51494],"recommended_recipes":[{"post_title":"Potluck Macaroni and Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/potluck-macaroni-and-cheese\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Potluck-Macaroni-and-Cheese_EXPS_FT25_41117_AC_0425_1.jpg"},{"post_title":"Cheeseburger Macaroni","post_link":"\/recipes\/cheeseburger-macaroni-skillet\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Cheeseburger-Macaroni_EXPS_TOHD24_157985_EricKleinberg_6.jpg"},{"post_title":"Shrimp and Macaroni Casserole","post_link":"\/recipes\/shrimp-macaroni-casserole\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Shrimp-Macaroni-Casserole_EXPS_FT25_42464_JR_0327_1.jpg"},{"post_title":"Veggie Macaroni & Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/veggie-macaroni-cheese\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Veggie-Macaroni-Cheese_EXPS_TOHWinter26_37151_DR_02_06_02b.jpg"},{"post_title":"Seafood Macaroni Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/seafood-macaroni-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/EXPS_TOHD24_4511_NicolePerry_3.jpg"},{"post_title":"Bacon Mac and Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/bacon-mac-cheese\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Bacon-Mac-and-Cheese_EXPS_TOHD24_47929_AlejandroMonfort_11.jpg"},{"post_title":"Chili Macaroni and Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/chili-macaroni-and-cheese\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chili-Macaroni-and-Cheese_EXPS_TOHWinter26_218901_DR_02_07_16b.jpg"},{"post_title":"Lobster Mac and Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/lobster-mac-and-cheese-recipe\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Lobster-Mac-and-Cheese_EXPS_TOHVP24_242360_MR_09_18_1.jpg"},{"post_title":"Shrimp Mac and Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/shrimp-mac-and-cheese\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/EXPS_TOHD24_276694_KristinaVanni_8.jpg"},{"post_title":"Macaroni and Cheese Soup","post_link":"\/recipes\/macaroni-and-cheese-soup\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/exps6358_FF163882C12_18_4b.jpg"},{"post_title":"Crab Mac and Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/crab-macaroni-casserole\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/EXPS_TOHD24_49806_EricKleinberg_8.jpg"},{"post_title":"Pizza Macaroni & Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/pizza-macaroni-cheese\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Pizza-Macaroni-Cheese_exps162286_TH132767A05_03_3bC_RMS.jpg"},{"post_title":"Deluxe Macaroni 'n' Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/deluxe-macaroni-n-cheese\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/exps11052_CB1175C260.jpg"},{"post_title":"Sausage Mac and Cheese","post_link":"\/recipes\/sausage-mac-and-cheese\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/EXPS_TOHD24_277630_SarahTramonte_6.jpg"},{"post_title":"Macaroni and Cheese Pasta Salad","post_link":"\/recipes\/macaroni-and-cheese-pasta-salad\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Macaroni-and-Cheese-Pasta-Salad_exps35250_RM1998746A03_15_4bC_RMS.jpg"},{"post_title":"Cheeseburger Macaroni","post_link":"\/recipes\/cheeseburger-macaroni\/","post_image":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/recipeFallback.jpg"},{"post_title":"Macaroni and Cheese 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Our recipe pairs lobster and shrimp with a blend of cheeses and a little bit of heat.","recipeIngredient":["1 pound uncooked cavatappi pasta","7 tablespoons butter, divided","6 tablespoons all-purpose flour","4 cups 2% milk","2-1\/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese","2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese","1-1\/4 teaspoons salt","1 teaspoon ground mustard","1\/2 teaspoon pepper","1\/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg","1\/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper","Dash hot pepper sauce","1 pound cooked lobster meat, chopped","1\/2 pound chopped cooked peeled shrimp, chopped","1\/2 cup panko bread crumbs","1\/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese","2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Cook your pasta","text":"Preheat your oven to 400\u00b0F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Seafood-Mac-And-Cheese_TOHD24_147236_ChristineMa_2.jpg?fit=700,1024"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Make the cheese sauce","text":"In a large saucepot, heat 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook until lightly browned, whisking constantly. Gradually add the milk and cook until thickened, three to four minutes, whisking occasionally. Stir in the Gruyere, cheddar, salt, ground mustard, pepper, nutmeg, cayenne and hot sauce until smooth. Add the cooked pasta, lobster and shrimp until they're coated in the cheese sauce.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Seafood-Mac-And-Cheese_TOHD24_147236_ChristineMa_3.jpg?fit=700,1024"},{"@type":"HowToStep","name":"Bake the mac and cheese","text":"Transfer this mixture to a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. In a small microwaveable bowl, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter for about 30 seconds. Stir in the panko bread crumbs and Parmesan. Sprinkle the mixture in an even layer on top. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.","image":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Seafood-Mac-And-Cheese_TOHD24_147236_ChristineMa_4.jpg?fit=700,1024"}],"recipeYield":"8 servings","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Kim Bussing"}],"nutrition":{"@type":"NutritionInformation","calories":" 742 calories","fatContent":"36g fat (21g saturated fat)","cholesterolContent":"260mg cholesterol","sodiumContent":"1555mg sodium","carbohydrateContent":"56g carbohydrate (8g sugars","fiberContent":"2g fiber)","proteinContent":"47g protein."},"aggregateRating":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"AggregateRating","ratingValue":0,"reviewCount":0,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5}},"video":{"data":{"status":204},"message":"No shortcode found in recipe"},"rms_legacy_id":"147236","romance_copy_dek":"Comfort food gets an upgrade with seafood mac and cheese. 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Christine Ma for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n
Directions<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Cook your pasta<\/h3>\n
Christine Ma for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Step 2: Make the cheese sauce<\/h3>\n
Christine Ma for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Step 3: Bake the mac and cheese<\/h3>\n
Christine Ma for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Christine Ma for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Seafood Mac and Cheese Variations<\/h2>\n
\n
How to Store Seafood Mac and Cheese<\/h2>\n
Can you freeze seafood mac and cheese?<\/h3>\n
Seafood Mac and Cheese Tips<\/h2>\n
Christine Ma for Taste Recipes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
What kind of cheese goes best with seafood?<\/h3>\n
Do you have to buy fresh lobster to make seafood mac and cheese?<\/h3>\n
Can you use pre-shredded cheese for mac and cheese recipes?<\/h3>\n