Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Serves 8

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups half-and-half
  • 3 cups gouda cheese, grated
  • 3 cups mild cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 cup gruyere cheese, grated
  • 1 lb. shrimp, raw and deveined with tail removed
  • ½ lb. lobster, pre-steamed
  • ¾ lb. lump crab
  • 1 Tb. butter
  • 2 Tb. olive oil
  • ¼ cup diced onion
  • 1 Tb. fresh or dried thyme
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 3 Tb. all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tb. all-purpose seasoning
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper

Directions:

  • 1

    Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a 9x13” baking pan.

  • 2

    Toss the cheeses together in a bowl.

  • 3

    Chop all seafood and toss together in a separate bowl, topping with all-purpose seasoning.

  • 4

    Prepare macaroni according to package directions, cooking until al dente or just a couple minutes short of the suggested cooking time.

  • 5

    Drain pasta and toss with olive oil.

  • 6

    Mix milk with half-and-half in a microwave safe bowl, heating for 3 to 4 minutes.

  • 7

    In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes or until soft. Stir in flour, cooking for 2 minutes. Add the minced garlic and thyme, cooking for another minute.

  • 8

    Add milk mixture to skillet, whisking constantly. Once the sauce is smooth, turn the heat down to medium and add salt and pepper.

  • 9

    Simmer sauce for 5 to 8 minutes or until it has thickened, whisking constantly so it doesn’t stick.

  • 10

    Turn off the heat and fold in 3 cups of the cheese mixture. Once cheese has melted, stir in pasta.

  • 11

    In your baking pan, pour in half of the pasta mixture. Top with half of the seafood mixture and 2 cups of reserved cheeses. Add the next layer of pasta, seafood and the final 2 cups of cheese.

  • 12

    Bake covered with aluminum foil for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and continue to bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese browns and bubbles.