Cajun Shrimp Crab Mac Cheese (Print Format)
Creamy mac with spiced shrimp, crab, and a blend of melt-in-your-mouth cheeses baked to golden perfection.
# Ingredients:
→ Cajun Shrimp
01 -
2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 -
2 tbsp olive oil
03 -
1 to 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
04 -
Pinch of salt
05 -
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
→ Mac and Cheese
06 -
3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
07 -
2 lb cooked fresh crab legs or 2 ½ cups diced imitation crab meat
08 -
¼ cup fresh or dried basil, plus more for topping
09 -
1 cup whole milk
10 -
2 to 2 ⅔ cups evaporated milk
11 -
½ to 1 tsp paprika, or to taste
12 -
¼ to ½ tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste
13 -
½ tsp salt, or to taste
14 -
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
15 -
2 large eggs, beaten
16 -
4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
17 -
2 cups mild cheddar cheese, grated
18 -
2 cups Colby and Monterey Jack cheese blend, grated
19 -
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
20 -
Cajun seasoning for topping
# Steps:
01 -
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. In a medium bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper; toss to coat evenly. Add shrimp to skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until pink and opaque, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 -
Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Lightly butter a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente as per package instructions. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large bowl.
03 -
Add cooked Cajun shrimp, crab meat, and basil to the drained pasta. Stir gently to combine and set aside.
04 -
In a large bowl, whisk whole milk and evaporated milk together. Add paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper; taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Whisk in beaten eggs until fully incorporated. Reserve 1 cup sharp cheddar, ½ cup Colby and Monterey Jack blend, and ½ cup Parmesan separately. Add remaining cheeses to the milk mixture and stir until combined.
05 -
Pour cheese and milk mixture into the bowl with pasta and seafood; stir thoroughly. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Top evenly with reserved cheeses and optionally sprinkle additional basil, paprika, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, then loosely cover with foil to prevent over-browning and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until top is golden and bubbly.
06 -
Remove from oven and let sit for 25 to 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and set the dish.
# Tips:
01 -
Adjust seasoning levels according to preference, particularly paprika and cayenne pepper for desired heat. For fresh crab legs, extract meat and chop finely before adding. Use up to 2 ⅔ cups evaporated milk for extra creamy texture.