Best 5 Grown Up Mac Cheese With Bay Scallops Recipes

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Indulge in a sophisticated twist on the classic comfort food with our Grown-Up Mac and Cheese with Bay Scallops. This elevated dish combines the creaminess of a rich cheese sauce with the delicate flavor of succulent bay scallops, offering a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Our carefully curated selection of recipes caters to diverse preferences, including a traditional mac and cheese recipe for those seeking a classic experience, a spicy mac and cheese recipe that adds a kick of heat, and a vegetarian mac and cheese recipe that caters to plant-based diets. Each recipe is meticulously crafted to ensure a delightful culinary experience, whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen. Let's embark on a culinary journey and discover the perfect Grown-Up Mac and Cheese recipe to satisfy your cravings.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SCALLOP MAC & CHEESE



Scallop Mac & Cheese image

A nice way to dress up this favorite feel-good food is to add scallops. They transform mac and cheese into a sophisticated dish.-Laurie Lufkin, Essex, Massachusetts

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
1/2 cup butter, divided
1 cup French bread baguette crumbs
1 pound bay scallops
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 small onion, chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
2 tablespoons sherry or chicken broth
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add bread crumbs; cook and stir until lightly toasted., In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add scallops; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until firm and opaque. Remove and keep warm. Melt remaining butter in the pan; add mushrooms and onion. Cook and stir until tender. Stir in the flour, thyme, salt and pepper until blended., Gradually add the milk, wine and sherry. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted. Drain pasta; stir pasta and scallops into sauce., Divide among five 10-oz. ramekins or custard cups. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Place ramekins on a baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Spoon onto plates if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 704 calories, Fat 37g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 132mg cholesterol, Sodium 696mg sodium, Carbohydrate 55g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 38g protein.

GROWN UP MAC AND CHEESE



Grown Up Mac and Cheese image

For a cozy dinner for two, try Ina Garten's Grown-Up Mac and Cheese, which features cheddar, Roquefort and Gruyre, from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 2 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 ounces thick-sliced bacon
Vegetable oil
Kosher salt
2 cups elbow macaroni or cavatappi
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
3 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
2 ounces blue cheese, such as Roquefort, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch nutmeg
2 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Place a baking rack on a sheet pan and arrange the bacon in 1 layer on the baking rack. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bacon is crisp. Remove the pan carefully from the oven - there will be hot grease in the pan! Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble when it is cool enough to handle.
  • Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
  • Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt the butter in a medium pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or 2 more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, blue cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and crumbled bacon and stir well. Pour into 2 individual size gratin dishes.
  • Place the bread slices in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until you have coarse crumbs. Add the basil and pulse to combine. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the pasta. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

CHEESY TARRAGON BAY SCALLOPS



Cheesy Tarragon Bay Scallops image

Nice presentation, and when served over a puff pastry shell, elegant enough for a special dinner. The Parmesan and tarragon give you a rich and flavorful cheese sauce that's the perfect complement to the scallops.

Provided by lutzflcat

Categories     Scallop Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

4 puff pastry shells
2 tablespoons butter, divided
12 ounces bay scallops
¾ cup sliced button mushrooms
2 tablespoons minced shallot
1 cup half-and-half
2 tablespoons flour
¼ cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons sherry
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon, plus more for garnish
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
  • Remove all wrapping from the pastry shells and set on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and puffed, about 20 minutes (follow directions on package).
  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bay scallops, and saute quickly on both sides until lightly browned, about 2 minutes per side. Do not overcook. Remove scallops from skillet and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to medium, and melt remaining tablespoon butter. Add mushrooms and shallots, and sautè until just tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Whisk half-and-half and flour into the skillet, whisking until thickened; add white wine, sherry, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard, and whisk into the cream sauce.
  • Stir in Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon tarragon, and pepper. Return scallops to the cheese sauce, stir, and reheat briefly.
  • Remove top of the puff pastry shell, and fill with cheesy scallops, overflowing slightly to serve. Garnish with additional fresh tarragon if you like.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 480.6 calories, Carbohydrate 27.4 g, Cholesterol 74.2 mg, Fat 29.3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 24.9 g, SaturatedFat 13.3 g, Sodium 662.4 mg

EMERIL'S SEAFOOD MAC AND CHEESE



Emeril's Seafood Mac and Cheese image

This mac and cheese is a fantastic one-dish meal -- it's so rich and creamy and cheesy, all you'll need is a simple green salad to serve alongside, and your menu is set. Lobster works well in this recipe, but if that seems too luxurious, use any combination of seafood you like.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Seafood Recipes     Shrimp Recipes

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 11

Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
3 cups whole milk
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 pound coarsely chopped cooked lobster, shrimp, crawfish, or crabmeat, or a combination
4 cups (1 pound) mixed grated cheeses, such as Parmesan, cheddar, Swiss, and fontina
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook macaroni 2 minutes less than al dente. Drain; rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  • While pasta is cooking, melt butter over medium in a large saucepan. Transfer 2 tablespoons melted butter to a medium bowl, and reserve. Add onion and garlic to pan; cook until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add milk; whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook until sauce has thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg.
  • Remove pan from heat. Fold in seafood, macaroni, and cheese; transfer to a shallow 4-quart baking dish. To bowl with reserved melted butter, add breadcrumbs and Creole seasoning; toss, and scatter over macaroni mixture. Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until topping is golden and sauce is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 665 g, Fat 30 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 40 g

GROWN UP MACARONI AND CHEESE



Grown up Macaroni and Cheese image

This is a fantastic mac and cheese recipe, with grown up flavors...you've got to give it a try. I made it last year for a dinner party, and after a year of people asking for the recipe (It really is that good!) I decided to just put it on Zaar. The recipe comes from the Fall 2007 edition of The Best of Fine Cooking magazine. This serves 8 people as a main course.

Provided by Chef Johnny Ringo

Categories     Cheese

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 cups whole milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch nutmeg, freshly grated
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
5 ounces gruyere cheese, coarsely grated (about 1 3/4 cup, lightly packed)
1/2 lb blue cheese, crumbled (Maytag blue suggested, about 2 cups)
1 lb penne rigate, dried
1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated
11 ounces monterey jack cheese, cut into 1/2 inch dice (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped fresh
2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
2 1/2 ounces parmigiano-reggiano cheese, freshly grated (scant 1 cup)
3/4 cup fresh breadcrumb

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Put a large pot of well salted water on to boil.
  • Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium low heat to just below a simmer. Remove from heat and cover to keep hot.
  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium low heat.
  • add the onion and bay leaf. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to soften, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
  • Gradually whisk in the hot milk, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes, whisking frequently, until thickened and smooth.
  • Season with 1 tsp salt, the nutmeg, tabasco and pepper to taste.
  • Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the gruyere and blue cheese.
  • Cook the pasta in the boiling water to al dente, following the package directions. Drain well and return to the pot.
  • Toss the lemon zest and half of the Monterey Jack cheese into the pasta while it's still hot; add the cheese sauce and quickly toss to combine.
  • Stir in the parsley and thyme and transfer half of the pasta to a large 3 qt shallow cassserole or lasagna pan.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining Monterey Jack cheese and half of the Parmigiano; top with the remaining pasta.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining Parmigiano and the breadcrumbs.
  • Bake until bubbling and golden, 50 to 60 minutes.
  • Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Tips:

  • For a richer flavor, use a combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyère cheese.
  • To make the sauce extra creamy, add a tablespoon of heavy cream.
  • If you don't have bay scallops, you can use shrimp or crab meat instead.
  • Serve the mac and cheese with a side of roasted vegetables or a salad.
  • This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Conclusion:

This grown-up mac and cheese with bay scallops is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The creamy sauce, tender scallops, and flavorful cheese make this a dish that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy mac and cheese, give this recipe a try.

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