Baked Shrimp Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
4.6
Baked Shrimp Mac and Cheese
Description
This recipe uses a combination of Gruyere and White Cheddar cheeses melted into a thickened sauce made from butter, flour, and half and half, providing a smooth and creamy coating for the short, curved cavatappi pasta. The addition of garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper adds depth and a gentle warmth to the cheese sauce. Medium-sized raw shrimp are included, offering a tender seafood element balanced by the richness of the cheese.
The assembly involves combining the cooked pasta and partially cooked shrimp with the cheese sauce, then layering more cheese and a mixture of panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan on top before baking. Baking at 400°F creates a golden crust that contrasts the creamy interior.
This baked mac and cheese can serve as a comforting main dish. The recipe allows using frozen shrimp, thawed and dried, for convenience. Adjusting cayenne pepper controls the heat level. For smaller portions, ingredients can be halved and baked in smaller dishes. When serving for varied seafood preferences, shrimp can be added to a portion while leaving others plain, baking both together.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cavatappi pasta
- 6 tablespoons butter divided, unsalted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper gives a nice kick to the dish, use less if you're not fond of heat
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups half and half
- 12 ounces gruyere cheese about 3 cups, shredded
- 12 ounces White Cheddar Cheese about 3 cups, shredded
- 2 pounds Shrimp 51-60 count, peeled and deveined, tails off, patted dry, medium, raw
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese grated
- parsley optional garnish, fresh chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Measure out the half and half, and set aside. Lightly spray a deep 9" x 13" baking dish, and set aside.
- Cook pasta per package directions, to slightly less than al dente. Drain very well; set aside.
- In a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-low heat, add 4 tablespoons of the butter and melt. Add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to the butter. Stirring constantly, “toast” the spices in the butter for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add flour to the pan and whisk to combine (a flat whisk works great for this!). Cook for 2 minutes, stirring fairly constantly. Slowly stream in half and half, whisking constantly, until lump-free. Turn up heat just a bit, between medium and medium-high. Bring mixture to a simmer and simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix together gruyere cheese and white cheddar cheese. Remove Dutch oven from heat and add half of the mixed cheese. Fold until cheese is melted.
- Add shrimp and cooked pasta to the Dutch oven, and fold to combine with the sauce. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan, and stir to incorporate evenly.
- Add remaining cheese to the top of the dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the top is golden brown. If desired, place dish under broiler for a couple minutes to toast the breadcrumbs even more. Remove from oven and let sit for about 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle parsley over the top, right before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Choose shorter pasta shapes like cavatappi or elbow for this dish.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level, reducing if desired.
- Frozen shrimp work well; thaw fully and pat dry before use.
- For presentation, reserve some shrimp to place on top before adding cheese and breadcrumb topping.
- Half and half creates a rich sauce; whole milk can be substituted for a lighter version.
- To make half the recipe, halve ingredients and bake in an 8" x 8" dish.
- Divide the dish before baking to accommodate shrimp-lovers and non-shrimp eaters separately.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 866 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 866kcal | 43% |
| Carbohydrates | 25g | 8% |
| Protein | 55g | 110% |
| Fat | 60g | 92% |
| Saturated Fat | 36g | 180% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 22g | 129% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 286mg | 95% |
| Sodium | 1676mg | 70% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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