Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Seafood Mac & Cheese Bake Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 326 reviews
  • Author: lina
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 servings 1x

Description

This decadent Seafood Mac & Cheese Bake combines creamy Velveeta and Colby Jack cheeses with tender jumbo shrimp, lump crab meat, and flavorful crawfish tails. Enhanced by a blend of Cajun and seafood seasonings, the dish is baked to golden perfection, delivering a comforting and rich seafood twist on the classic mac and cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

  • 1 pound macaroni noodles

Cheeses:

  • 454 grams Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 907 grams Colby Jack cheese, shredded

Dairy & Sauces:

  • 710 milliliters heavy whipping cream
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup

Seafood:

  • 1 bag jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 can lump crab meat, drained
  • 1 bag crawfish tails, thawed and rinsed

Seasonings:

  • 3 teaspoons Kinder’s Seafood Blend
  • 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 3 teaspoons Accent flavor enhancer
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over low heat, combine the heavy whipping cream, cream of chicken soup, and cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir constantly until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
  2. Season Cheese Sauce: Add Kinder’s Seafood Blend, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, Accent, and black pepper into the cheese sauce. Stir well to evenly blend all the flavors.
  3. Cook Pasta: Cook the macaroni noodles in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and place the noodles into a large baking dish.
  4. Sauté Crawfish Tails: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the crawfish tails with a pinch of seafood seasoning and sauté for 2–3 minutes until heated through. Remove and set aside.
  5. Warm Crab Meat: Add a bit more butter to the skillet, gently heat the drained crab meat with light seasoning, then remove and set aside.
  6. Cook Shrimp: Season the shrimp with seafood blend and sauté in butter until opaque and cooked through, or alternatively cook them in an air fryer until done.
  7. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour half of the prepared cheese sauce over the macaroni noodles. Add a portion of shredded Colby Jack cheese and stir until the pasta is thoroughly coated.
  8. Add Seafood: Evenly distribute the sautéed crawfish tails, warmed crab meat, and cooked shrimp over the macaroni mixture in the baking dish.
  9. Top with Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining cheese sauce on top of the seafood and pasta. Sprinkle the rest of the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the top. Garnish with extra crawfish tails and chopped parsley.
  10. Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 177°C (350°F) for 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the top is beautifully golden brown.

Notes

  • You can substitute the Cajun seasoning with your preferred blend of spices for a milder or spicier flavor.
  • Ensure shrimp and crawfish tails are fully thawed and drained if previously frozen to avoid excess moisture.
  • For a richer sauce, use full-fat cream and avoid low-fat substitutes.
  • If you prefer, shrimp can be air fried instead of sautéed for a slightly different texture.
  • Serve immediately after baking to enjoy the creamy texture before it thickens upon cooling.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American, Cajun

Keywords: seafood mac and cheese, baked mac and cheese, cajun seafood bake, shrimp mac and cheese, crawfish mac and cheese

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Find it online: https://yummybylina.com/seafood-mac-and-cheese-bake-recipe/