Shrimp Mac and Cheese
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
30 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
1091 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Shrimp Mac and Cheese
Description
This Shrimp Mac and Cheese balances creamy, cheesy pasta with the added protein and flavor of sautéed shrimp. The sauce begins with aromatics—onions, garlic, and optional mild green chile—sautéed in butter to build depth. Flour is cooked in the mixture to create a roux, then cream and shredded cheeses are gradually incorporated into a smooth, rich cheese sauce featuring gruyere, cheddar, and pecorino.
The cooked pasta and shrimp are folded into the cheese sauce, then transferred to a casserole dish and topped with breadcrumbs and fresh parsley. Baking until the topping is golden delivers a satisfying contrast between creamy interior and crisp topping.
This dish provides a hearty comfort food option that elevates classic mac and cheese by adding shrimp. Variations may include other seafood like crawfish, crab, or lobster as suggested in the notes.
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow pasta cooked and drained, or other short pasta
- 5 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 onion large, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 green chile optional, small hot serrano, minced
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups cream
- 2 cups gruyere cheese loosely packed, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese loosely packed, shredded
- 1/2 cup pecorino cheese grated, or Parmesan cheese
- salt
- black pepper
- 12 ounces Shrimp peeled
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 4 tablespoons parsley fresh, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a large pan over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add the onion and sauté, stirring often, until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the chile and garlic and sauté another minute. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add the flour to the pan and mix it in well. Cook this, stirring often, for 5 minutes, until it browns a bit. Pour in the cream about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing after each time so that it's fully incorporated.
- Do the same with all the cheeses, adding about 1/2 cup at a time, and stirring it in before adding more. Add salt and black pepper to taste, then mix in the cooked pasta and shrimp.
- Move all this to a casserole dish; I like to grease mine with butter, but this is not strictly necessary. Pat the mac and cheese into the casserole and sprinkle the breadcrumbs and parsley over it all. If you feel like adding some other seasonings, like Cajun or Cavender's or somesuch, sprinkle maybe a teaspoon or two over everything now.
- Bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, until the top browns. Remove and let it sit 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cut large shrimp into small pieces for even distribution and texture.
- Crawfish tails, crab, or chopped lobster may be used instead of shrimp for variation.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1091 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 1091kcal | 55% |
| Carbohydrates | 73g | 24% |
| Protein | 48g | 96% |
| Fat | 67g | 103% |
| Saturated Fat | 40g | 200% |
| Cholesterol | 363mg | 121% |
| Sodium | 968mg | 40% |
| Potassium | 410mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 2427IU | 49% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 916mg | 92% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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