Cajun Shrimp Crab Mac Cheese (Printable Version)
A decadent dish blending spiced shrimp, crab, and layers of cheddar baked with herbs and spices.
# Everything You’ll Need:
→ Cajun Shrimp
01 -
2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
03 -
1 to 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
04 -
Pinch of salt
05 -
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
→ Mac and Cheese
06 -
3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
07 -
2 pounds 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 teaspoon paprika, or to taste
12 -
¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
13 -
½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
14 -
½ teaspoon 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 to Cook:
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 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.
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 over high heat. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly and transfer pasta to a large bowl.
03 -
Add cooked Cajun shrimp, crab meat, and basil to the drained pasta. Stir gently to combine. Set aside.
04 -
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.
05 -
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.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Adjust seasoning levels to personal preference, especially paprika and cayenne pepper. For fresh crab legs, extract meat and chop into small pieces before combining. Evaporated milk quantity influences creaminess; use 2 ⅔ cups for extra richness.