Mac Cheese with Seafood (Printer-Friendly)

Macaroni blended with shrimp, crab, and crawfish, enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce and oven-baked for a savory delight.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 ounces elbow macaroni

→ Cheese and Dairy

02 - 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
03 - 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese, divided
04 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

→ Soup and Sauces

06 - 1 cup cream of chicken soup

→ Seafood

07 - 8 ounces peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp
08 - 6 ounces lump crab meat, drained
09 - 6 ounces thawed crawfish tails, rinsed

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning blend
11 - 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
12 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
13 - 1/4 teaspoon Accent flavor enhancer (optional)
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

15 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
16 - Extra crawfish tails for topping (optional)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a saucepan set over low heat, combine heavy whipping cream, cream of chicken soup, and cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir continuously for about 10 minutes until cheese fully melts and sauce becomes smooth and velvety.
02 - Incorporate seafood seasoning blend, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, Accent enhancer (if using), and black pepper into the sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure even seasoning distribution.
03 - Boil elbow macaroni in generously salted water following package directions until just al dente. Drain well and transfer to a large buttered baking dish to prevent sticking.
04 - Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add crawfish tails and a pinch of seafood seasoning. Cook for 2-3 minutes until warmed through. Remove from heat and set aside.
05 - Add a small amount of butter to the same skillet and gently warm crab meat for about one minute. Season lightly if desired and then remove from heat.
06 - Season shrimp with seafood seasoning blend. Sauté shrimp in the skillet with a pat of butter over medium-high heat or air fry until opaque and just cooked through to maintain juiciness.
07 - Pour half of the prepared cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni and sprinkle half of the shredded Colby Jack cheese. Stir gently to coat noodles evenly.
08 - Evenly distribute sautéed crawfish tails, warmed crab meat, and cooked shrimp on top of the macaroni layer without overcrowding.
09 - Pour remaining cheese sauce over the seafood layer, then sprinkle remaining Colby Jack cheese. Garnish with additional crawfish tails and chopped parsley for color and freshness.
10 - Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden around the edges. Serve hot.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - For best texture, cook pasta until just al dente and avoid overbaking to prevent mushiness.
02 - Shred your own cheese fresh for optimal melt and creaminess.
03 - Let casserole cool completely before refrigerating leftovers; reheat covered in the oven to maintain moisture.

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