Ingredients
Macaroni noodles: These sturdy noodles hold all the creamy cheese sauce Be sure to cook until just al dente for the best texture
Velveeta Cheese: Gives a silky smooth melt and classic creamy flavor or use your favorite cheese blend for a sharper bite Always cube the cheese for quicker melting
Cream of Chicken Soup: Adds richness and helps thicken the sauce Use a high-quality brand for best flavor
Jumbo Shrimp: Choose fresh or thawed frozen shrimp that are firm and smell sweet
Lump Crab Meat: Go for real canned or deli lump crab not imitation and check for bits of shell
Crawfish Tails: Look for fully cooked tails thawed and rinsed well for freshness
Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates luxuriously creamy texture in the cheese sauce Choose ultra-pasteurized cream for best results
Butter: Adds richness to both the seafood and the sauce Only use real butter for classic flavor
Colby Jack Shredded Cheese: Classic melty and flavorful but any shredded cheese you love will work Mix more than one cheese for depth
Kinder’s Seafood Blend: A flavorful spice blend that enhances the seafood notes
Cajun Seasoning: Like Slap Ya Mama for bold Louisiana flavor Pick a favorite brand or make your own blend
Garlic Powder: Adds savory punch Use granulated for even seasoning
Accent: This seasoning booster brings out all the flavors Use lightly to avoid overpowering
Black Pepper: Freshly ground gives a gentle heat and dimension
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Step-by-Step Instructions
Make the Cheese Sauce:
Pour heavy whipping cream and cream of chicken soup into a large saucepan. Add cubed Velveeta cheese. Stir over low heat constantly so it does not scorch. Keep mixing until cheese is fully melted and mixture is silky. Add seafood blend Cajun seasoning garlic powder Accent and black pepper. Mix again so everything dissolves smoothly
Boil the Pasta:
Cook macaroni noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente about nine minutes. Drain in a colander shaking off excess water. Add cooked noodles to a large baking pan in an even layer
Sauté the Crawfish:
In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat. Add rinsed crawfish tails and season with a pinch of seafood blend. Sauté gently for two to three minutes just until warmed through and fragrant. Set aside try not to overcook or they will turn rubbery
Warm the Crab:
Add a little more butter if needed. Gently heat crab meat and season lightly with a bit of seafood blend or Cajun seasoning. Stir until just warmed and set aside
Cook the Shrimp:
Season shrimp well. Air fry or sauté quickly until just cooked through. Shrimp will turn pink and curl up in about four minutes do not overcook
Layer and Assemble:
Pour half the cheese sauce over macaroni. Stir well so every noodle is coated Add a handful of shredded cheese and mix again. Layer crawfish tails and lump crab evenly over noodles. Add the shrimp right on top. Spoon remaining cheese sauce over the whole thing and sprinkle with plenty of Colby Jack cheese. Add extra crawfish tails and a sprinkle of parsley if you like for color
Bake:
Place baking pan in a preheated oven at three hundred and fifty degrees. Bake uncovered for ten to fifteen minutes just until cheese is bubbling and the top is golden
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A casserole dish filled with shrimp and cheese.
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A casserole dish filled with shrimp and cheese. | gracefulflavors.com
You Must Know
Crowd pleaser and showstopper any time you want to impress
Flexible with protein swaps or cheese mixes
Wonderful as leftovers
Crawfish has always been my party trick for this dish because it makes people pause and smile I remember my little cousin asking what they were then calling them mini lobsters which is now the family name for our crawfish mac
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days For best results reheat gently in the oven covered with foil or use the microwave in short bursts Add a splash of cream or milk if the sauce seems dry
Ingredient Substitutions
You can use any sturdy pasta such as penne or shells if macaroni is unavailable Feel free to swap lobster for crawfish or use all shrimp if desired Monterey Jack cheddar or fontina work great in place of Colby Jack Add a little smoked paprika in the cheese sauce if you want a deeper smoky taste
A yummy casserole dish filled with shrimp and cheese.
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