Seafood Mac and Cheese | Cajun Recipe

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat options lower calories while processed cheese is often cheaper.

seafood mix

🥗Healthier: fresh fish and shrimp

💰Cheaper: canned tuna

Fresh options are healthier, while canned tuna is a budget-friendly alternative.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free while pecorino is often less expensive.

Add 2 pounds of deveined shrimp to a bowl.

Pour in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of cajun seasoning; mix well.

Add a little fresh black pepper and a pinch of salt; toss to combine.

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and cook the shrimp for 4 to 6 minutes until pink, stirring constantly; remove and set aside.

Coat a 9 by 13 pyrex dish with 1 tablespoon of melted butter, covering all edges and bottom.

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add 1 pound of elbow macaroni; cook for 7 minutes until al dente, then drain and transfer to a bowl.

Add the cooked shrimp and 1 pound of crab meat to the bowl with the macaroni; mix thoroughly.

Stir in 1/4 cup of basil into the macaroni and seafood mixture.

In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup of milk and 2 cans of evaporated milk; add 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 tablespoon of cayenne pepper, 1/2 tablespoon of black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt; whisk together.

Taste the milk mixture to adjust seasoning before adding 2 beaten eggs; mix until combined.

Prepare 1/2 cup each of monster cheese, sharp cheddar, jalapeno jack cheese, and mild cheddar; set aside.

Combine the seafood and pasta mixture with the milk mixture and all the cheeses; mix until well combined.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pyrex dish; cover with foil to prevent burning.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 40 to 50 minutes.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens