Cajun Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
40 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Additional Time
10 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
652 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Cajun Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese
Description
This recipe starts by cooking chopped shrimp with butter and Cajun seasoning until pink and cooked through. Cavatappi pasta is boiled until al dente, drained, and set aside. The cheese sauce is made by cooking a roux of butter and flour until slightly browned, then gradually whisking in milk and cooking until thickened. Shredded pepper jack and sharp cheddar cheeses are melted into the sauce with additional Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper for flavor.
The cooked pasta and shrimp are combined with the cheese sauce, then transferred to a buttered casserole dish. The topping blends melted butter with panko breadcrumbs and shredded cheeses, sprinkled evenly over the casserole, and baked until golden and bubbling, creating a crisp cheese crust that contrasts with the creamy interior.
Smaller shrimp can be used whole without chopping. The dish can be served as a hearty main course and adjusted for spice by modifying Cajun seasoning amounts.
Ingredients
For the Shrimp
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 1 pound Shrimp peeled, deveined and chopped into ½-inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
For the Marconi and Cheese
- 1 pound cavatappi pasta or shaped pasta of your choice
- 4 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk whole
- 9 ounces pepper jack cheese shredded (about 2¼ cups)
- 6 ounces cheddar cheese shredded (about 1½ cups, sharp
- ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning divided
- salt to taste, fresh ground
- black pepper to taste, fresh ground
For the Topping
- 4 tablespoons butter melted, unsalted
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 3 ounces pepper jack cheese shredded (about ¾ cup)
- 2 ounces cheddar cheese shredded (about ½ cup, sharp
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Heat a large pot of water over high heat for the pasta; cover.
- Prepare the Shrimp: In a 10-inch skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is all pink and cooked through. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Macaroni and Cheese: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook the pasta according to the box directions for al dente pasta (if your box doesn't specify al dente, cook it for 1 to 2 minutes shorter than the time called for - it shouldn't be cooked the whole way through). When the pasta is finished cooking, drain it in a colander.
- While the pasta is cooking, make the sauce. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, until the flour starts to brown a bit and smells nutty, whisking constantly. In a slow, steady stream, whisk in the milk. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer.
- Once the sauce comes to a simmer, stir in the Pepper Jack and cheddar cheeses, adding a handful at a time and stirring with a wooden spoon until completely melted before adding the next handful. Season with the Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper, and turn off the heat.
- Add the cooked, drained pasta and shrimp to the sauce. Stir with a wooden spoon until everything is completely combined and evenly distributed. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the Panko bread crumbs, tossing with a fork until the entire mixture is evenly moistened.
- Sprinkle the macaroni and cheese with the shredded cheeses. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top of the cheese.
- Bake until browned and bubbly, about 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Small shrimp can be left unchopped, offering texture variety and ease of preparation.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount to control the dish’s spice level according to preference.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 652 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 652kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 40g | 80% |
| Fat | 40g | 62% |
| Saturated Fat | 24g | 120% |
| Cholesterol | 253mg | 84% |
| Sodium | 947mg | 39% |
| Potassium | 369mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1275IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 2.3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 736mg | 74% |
| Iron | 3.1mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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