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.

Ingredients

1 Pound Penne Pasta or Large Elbow Pasta

3 Cups Whole Milk

2 Cups Half & Half

1 Tablespoon Butter

2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

¼ Cup Onion, diced

1 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme, chopped

1 to 2 Cloves Fresh Garlic, finely minced

3 Level Tablespoons All Purpose Flour

To Taste Kosher Salt

To Taste Black Pepper

To Taste or 1 to 2 Tablespoons Grand Diamond All Purpose Seasoning

To Taste or 2 to 3 Teaspoons Hot Sauce or Tabasco

1 to 2 Teaspoons Liquid Crab Boil, (optional) (careful, it can be spicy but it adds a nice seafood flavor)

3 Cups (about 12 Ounces) Gouda Cheese or Monterey Jack Cheese , grated

3 Cups (about 8 Ounces) Muenster Cheese or Mild Cheddar Cheese, grated

1 Cup (a little less than 4 Ounces) Gruyere Cheese, grated

1 Pound Shrimp, raw, deveined, tail removed, Size 14-16 or 31-40

½ to ¾ Pound Lobster, raw or pre-steamed, chopped into chunks (3 to 4 small lobster tails will do)

½ to ¾ Pound Lump Crab, your choice

Nonstick Cooking Spray, optional

Directions

Prepare, chop, and dice all of the ingredients first.

Grate all of the cheeses and toss together in one large bowl.

Season the shrimp and lobster. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a large stock pot, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil over high heat.

Season the boiling water, with 3 Tablespoons of salt. Cook until just al dente or 2 minutes short of the suggested cooking time on the package.

Once done, drain the pasta, DO NOT rinse, and toss with 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil to keep it from sticking together while the sauce is being cooked.

Preheat the milk and half & half together in the microwave, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Next, in a large skillet melt the butter and olive oil together over medium-high heat.

Add the onions and sauté for about 3 to 4 minutes or until soft.

Add and stir in the flour, cook for about 2 minutes. (This is a roux. Do not brown it.) Add the chopped garlic and thyme, cook for another minute.

Next, while whisking vigorously add all of the milk mixture to the roux.

Whisk until the sauce is smooth and has no lumps. Once it’s smooth, turn the heat down to medium heat.

Add the salt, pepper, Grand Diamond All Purpose Seasoning, hot sauce, and optional liquid crab boil to taste.

Simmer for about 5 to 8 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Whisk occasionally to keep it from sticking.

Next, add 3 cups of the grated chesses to the sauce (reserve 4 cups for layering), turn off the heat and stir just until the cheese melts and the sauce is combined.

Stir in the drained pasta.

In a lightly sprayed 9×13 baking dish, pour in half of the macaroni & cheese.

Next, place the first layer of seafood, using half of each.

Sprinkle 2 cups of the reserved cheeses.

Add the next layer of macaroni & cheese, repeat layering of seafood, and top with the final 2 cups of cheese.

Bake COVERED with aluminum foil at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Remove the cover and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes or just until the cheese is fully melted and the seafood is fully cooked.