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Budget Friendly Seafood Mac and Cheese

A budget friendly spin on seafood mac and cheese. Instead of traditional lobster and crab, it uses tilapia and canned salmon.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
Sauce
  • 1 egg
  • 3 cups half and half
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp italian seasoning
  • 1/2 block of cheese
Seafood Mix
  • 1 to 2 flounder or tilapia filets
  • 1 can cooked salmon
  • 1 1/2 tsp old bay
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 block of cheese shredded

Equipment

  • Skillet Casserole or Baking Dish

Method
 

Prepare Pasta
  1. Boil a salted (or use bouillon cube) water to boil.
  2. Cook pasta to al dente
Preheat Oven to 385
    Prepare Seafood
    1. If desired, remove skin and bones from salmon
    2. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté mild white fish (tilapia or flounder).
    3. When just about done, break into pieces with spatula and add salmon to skillet
    4. Add old bay and onion powder
    5. Remove from pan
    6. Add butter and garlic to pan. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
    7. Add half and half and lower heat to medium low.
    8. Add in seasonings. Adjust to taste. Add in cheese. Once melted, turn off heat and add egg, slowly and stirring constantly. Then add in pasta.
    9. Add in Seafood, leaving a little to top the dish
    10. Transfer half of pasta mixture to a casserole dish
    11. Sprinkle cheese over top and layer the remaining pasta mixture.
    12. Sprinkle on cheese and remaining Seafood mixture.
    13. Place in oven and cook until cheese melts. About 20 minutes.
    14. Enjoy!