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Cajun crawfish mac and cheese baked in a white casserole dish with a golden Parmesan breadcrumb topping, tender crawfish tails, creamy cheese sauce, sliced green onions, and fresh parsley.
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🦞 Cajun Crawfish Mac and Cheese

This Cajun Crawfish Mac and Cheese is creamy, cheesy, and packed with Louisiana flavor. Tender crawfish tails are combined with the Cajun holy trinity, a rich three-cheese sauce, and a buttery Parmesan breadcrumb topping for the ultimate Southern comfort food.
Course Casserole, Comfort Food, dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Cajun, Creole, Louisiana-Inspired American, Southern
Keyword baked crawfish mac and cheese, baked seafood macaroni, cajun comfort food, cajun crawfish mac and cheese, cajun pasta bake, cheesy seafood casserole, crawfish dinner recipe, crawfish macaroni and cheese, crawfish pasta casserole, crawfish tail recipes, creamy crawfish mac and cheese, homemade crawfish mac and cheese, louisiana comfort food, louisiana crawfish recipe, mardi gras recipes, seafood casserole recipe, seafood mac and cheese, smoked gouda mac and cheese, southern mac and cheese, southern seafood pasta bake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 785kcal
Cost $30 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Large stockpot
  • colander
  • Large skillet
  • Large saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cheese grater
  • Mixing bowl
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Oven mitts
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife

Ingredients

For the Pasta

  • 16 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

For the Crawfish Mixture

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 pounds crawfish tails drained
  • 5 green onions sliced, divided
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

For the Cheese Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1/4 cup seafood stock
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups freshly shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups freshly shredded smoked gouda cheese
  • 3/4 cup freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Topping

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

For Garnish

  • Remaining green onions
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the kosher salt and cook the macaroni 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Stir in the crawfish tails, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, and half of the green onions. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat.
  • In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk in the milk, seafood stock, and heavy cream until smooth.
  • Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, whisking frequently, until slightly thickened.
  • Whisk in the cream cheese until completely smooth.
  • Add the Dijon mustard, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, white pepper, and remaining teaspoon Cajun seasoning.
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir in the cheddar, smoked gouda, and Monterey Jack cheeses until melted and smooth.
  • Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
  • Fold the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce.
  • Gently stir in the crawfish mixture.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  • In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning.
  • Sprinkle the topping evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown.
  • Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Garnish with the remaining green onions and chopped parsley.

Notes

🧀 Use Freshly Shredded Cheese

For the creamiest Cajun Crawfish Mac and Cheese, shred your cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded varieties. Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and creates a velvety cheese sauce without the grainy texture that can sometimes occur with bagged cheese blends.

🍝 Slightly Undercook the Pasta

Cook the macaroni about 2 minutes less than the package directions recommend. Since the pasta continues cooking while baking, this step helps prevent overly soft noodles and ensures the finished casserole has the perfect texture.

🦞 Don't Overcook the Crawfish

Crawfish tails only need a few minutes of cooking time. Overcooking can make them tough and rubbery, so simply warm them through with the vegetables before adding them to the cheese sauce. This keeps the crawfish tender and flavorful.

🌶️ Adjust the Cajun Seasoning to Taste

Different Cajun seasoning brands vary significantly in saltiness and spice level. Taste the cheese sauce before combining it with the pasta and adjust the seasoning if needed. This simple step helps create a perfectly balanced Cajun flavor.

🥛 Seafood Stock Substitutions

Seafood stock enhances the crawfish flavor, but the recipe is still delicious without it. If seafood stock is unavailable, substitute chicken stock for a similar savory depth. Additional whole milk can also be used for a milder flavor profile.

⏲️ Let the Mac and Cheese Rest

Allow the baked mac and cheese to rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This gives the sauce time to thicken slightly, making the casserole easier to portion while maintaining its creamy consistency.

🌿 Garnish for Authentic Louisiana Flavor

A sprinkle of sliced green onions and fresh parsley adds color, freshness, and extra Cajun-inspired flavor. For a beautiful presentation, top each serving with a few additional crawfish tails before serving.

🔥 Make It Spicier

If you enjoy extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper, additional hot sauce, or diced jalapeños to the cheese sauce. These additions complement the creamy cheeses while enhancing the bold Cajun flavor of the dish.

❄️ Make-Ahead Tip

You can assemble the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it before baking. When ready to serve, allow the dish to sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes, then bake as directed until hot and bubbly. This makes Cajun Crawfish Mac and Cheese a great option for holidays, family gatherings, and special occasions.