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4.6 from 213 votes

Baked Shrimp Mac and Cheese

This Easy Baked Shrimp Mac & Cheese recipe has a fun seafood twist, plus a little kick. Topped with crispy, buttery breadcrumbs, it's irresistible!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 866 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces cavatappi pasta
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • 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 about 3 cups shredded gruyere cheese - use a box grater to shred
  • 12 ounces about 3 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
  • 2 pounds medium raw shrimp 51-60 count, peeled and deveined, tails off, patted dry
  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
  • fresh chopped parsley optional garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. Cook pasta per package directions, to slightly less than al dente. Drain very well; set aside.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Add shrimp and cooked pasta to the Dutch oven, and fold to combine with the sauce. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
  7. In a small bowl, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan, and stir to incorporate evenly.
  8. 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

  • You can use any pasta shape you wish but I suggest a shorterpasta like Cavatappi or elbow.
  • This packs a slight kick, so add the cayenne pepper to taste.
  • I tend to use frozen shrimp most often as it's super convenient; just thaw before using and pat dry.
  • For a pretty presentation, leave out about a dozen of the shrimpand add to the top of the pasta before placing the remaining cheese andbreadcrumbs on top.
  • Using half and half makes for a decadent mac and cheese. For aslightly lighter version you can use whole milk and keep everything else the same.
  • To make a half recipe, cut all ingredients in half and use an 8" x 8" baking dish.
  • For families with shrimp-lovers and shrimp-haters: Use all the same ingredients, all the same amounts, except use just half the quantity of shrimp. When the cheese sauce has finished thickening, fold in the cooked pasta, and then divide the cheesy pasta between two 8" x 8" baking pans (or dishes of a similar size). Fold the shrimp into only one of those pans. And then proceed with the rest of the instructions, adding more shredded cheese and the buttery Parmesan breadcrumbs to the top of each pan. Bake both pans in the oven at the same time.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 866kcal (43%) Carbohydrates 25g (8%) Protein 55g (110%) Fat 60g (92%) Saturated Fat 36g (180%) Polyunsaturated Fat 22g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 286mg (95%) Sodium 1676mg (70%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 866

% 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.