Description
A creamy and flavorful mac and cheese with a delightful blend of Cajun spices, shrimp, and fresh crab.
Ingredients
- 3 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 2 lbs fresh crab legs, cooked OR 2 and 1/2 cups imitation crab meat, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh or dried basil + more for topping
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 – 2 and 2/3 cups evaporated milk
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon paprika, or to taste
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 cups mild cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 cups colby & monterey jack cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Cajun seasoning, for topping
- 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined (if frozen, thawed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Read all notes before starting the recipe.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- In a medium bowl, toss shrimp, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper to coat the shrimp.
- Once the skillet is hot, add the shrimp and cook, stirring constantly until the shrimp is pink, about 4-6 minutes. Set the shrimp aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, following the package directions. Do not overcook!
- Drain the macaroni well and transfer it to a large bowl. Mix in the sautéed shrimp, crab chunks, and basil. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, combine whole milk and evaporated milk, whisking until smooth.
- Add paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper, whisking to combine. Taste to adjust seasonings to your liking. Once satisfied, add and beat the eggs until well combined.
- Reserve 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of colby & monterey jack cheese, and 1/2 cup of parmesan. Stir the remaining cheese into the milk mixture until well combined.
- Pour the cheese mixture into the macaroni and stir to ensure every piece is coated.
- Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with reserved cheeses. Sprinkle more basil, paprika, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning on top, if desired.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden. Cover with foil around the 35-40 minute mark, ensuring it doesn’t touch the cheese.
- Remove from the oven and let it sit for 25-30 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a richer flavor, consider experimenting with different cheese combinations and let the dish sit after baking for better texture.
