Southern Lobster and Shrimp Mac and Cheese

This is a creamy, rich, and decadent recipe for an 'over the top' addition to any meal. After years of making basic mac and cheese, this version with shrimp and lobster is an indulgence worth making for those special to you. It is an adapted recipe from strong Southern women (Patti LaBelle, Mama Jean, and my son's girlfriend Ashley)...all wonderful foodies! I make this a day ahead.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 884 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup dried minced onion
• 1 pound shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 stick butter
• 1 pound cooked and cubed lobster meat
• 1 pound shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
• 1 pound shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) package whole wheat elbow macaroni
• 1 pound cooked shrimp, tails removed
• 1 tablespoon dried onion seasoning (such as Pampered Chef® Three Onion Rub)
• 2 cups crushed buttery round crackers (such as Ritz®)
• 1 stick butter, sliced into pats

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni and 1/2 cup dried onion in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until macaroni is tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Place lobster and shrimp in a colander. Pour the cooked pasta and onions over shellfish; let drain.

Step 4

Warm evaporated milk and cream slowly in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour. Whisk eggs together in a small bowl.

Step 5

Cook sauce until small bubbles form. Add sauce very slowly, 1/4 cup at a time, to the bowl with the eggs, being careful not to cook and scramble the eggs. Slowly mix the egg-cream mixture back into the pan. Continue cooking on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until thick and smooth, 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 6

Melt 1 stick of butter in the pot used to cook the pasta over medium heat. Add flour; cook until roux thickens and turns caramel in color, about 5 minutes. Stir in Cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese. Cook, stirring constantly, until mostly melted, about 4 minutes. Pour in the cream sauce and stir until smooth.

Step 7

Stir pasta, lobster, and shrimp into the cheese and cream sauce to coat completely. Pour mac and cheese into a 9x11-inch baking dish.

Step 8

Melt another stick of butter in the saucepan used to make the sauce. Add onion seasoning and herbes de Provence; stir. Add crackers. Cook and stir over medium heat until coating mixture is lightly toasted, about 5 minutes.

Step 9

Cover mac and cheese with thin pats of butter. Top with the cracker coating.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven until top is crispy and cheeses are melted, about 1 hour.