Name: Cajun Shrimp Crab Mac Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Creole
Ingredients: 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 to 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning; Pinch of salt; Pinch of freshly ground black pepper; 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni; 2 pounds cooked fresh crab legs or 2 ½ cups diced imitation crab meat; ¼ cup fresh or dried basil, plus more for topping; 1 cup whole milk; 2 to 2 ⅔ cups evaporated milk; ½ to 1 teaspoon paprika, or to taste; ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste; ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste; ½ 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 and Monterey Jack cheese blend, grated; ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated; Cajun seasoning for topping

Description

Cajun Shrimp Crab Mac Cheese is a deliciously creamy and cheesy pasta dish packed with flavorful shrimp, crab, and a hint of Cajun spice, perfect for impressing your guests.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 to 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
Pinch of salt
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
2 pounds cooked fresh crab legs or 2 ½ cups diced imitation crab meat
¼ cup fresh or dried basil, plus more for topping
1 cup whole milk
2 to 2 ⅔ cups evaporated milk
½ to 1 teaspoon paprika, or to taste
¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
½ 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 and Monterey Jack cheese blend, grated
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Cajun seasoning for topping

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Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. In a medium bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat shrimp evenly.
Add shrimp to the hot skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until pink and opaque, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Preheat 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 elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly and transfer pasta to a large bowl.
Add cooked Cajun shrimp, crab meat, and basil to the drained pasta. Stir gently to combine. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together whole milk and evaporated milk. Add paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper; taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Whisk in beaten eggs until fully incorporated. Reserve 1 cup sharp cheddar, ½ cup Colby and Monterey Jack blend, and ½ cup Parmesan cheese separately. Add the remaining cheeses to the milk mixture and stir until combined.
Pour cheese and milk mixture into the bowl with pasta and seafood. Stir thoroughly to combine.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top evenly with the reserved cheeses. Optionally sprinkle additional basil, paprika, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning on top.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. At about 35 to 40 minutes, cover with foil loosely to prevent over-browning without touching the cheese.
Remove from oven and let rest for 25 to 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use fresh crab legs for the best taste.
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning based on your spice preference.
Allow the dish to sit before serving to thicken up slightly.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Bake
Cuisine: Creole

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 620
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 950mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 170mg