Crawfish Mac and Cheese with Smoked Gouda

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-26 · Updated 2026-05-26

A decadent mac and cheese combining tender elbow pasta with smoky Gouda and fresh crawfish for a bold Louisiana-inspired comfort dish. This American-inspired comfort-food recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs elbow macaroni, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 2 cups shredded smoked Gouda cheese
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 lb, peeled and cleaned crawfish tails
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• to taste salt
• to taste freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook 12 oz elbow macaroni in salted boiling water for 7-8 minutes until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes until bubbling but not browned.
3. Step 3: Gradually whisk in 3 cups whole milk, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2 cups shredded smoked Gouda, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste until cheese is melted and smooth.
5. Step 5: Fold 1 lb peeled crawfish tails and the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until fully combined.
6. Step 6: Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, toss 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp olive oil, then sprinkle evenly over the top.
7. Step 7: Bake for 20 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.