Shrimp Mac and Cheese
Shrimp Mac and Cheese is the perfect family-friendly meal and SO simple to make! It's warm, ultra creamy and full of flavor!
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 842kcal
Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni pasta
- 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, plus a pinch, separated
- 3 tablespoons + ⅓ cup unsalted butter, separated
- ⅓ cup melted, unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cup heavy whipping cream warmed
- 3 cups half and half
- 1 ½ cup freshly grated Cheddar cheese, separated
- 1 ¼ cup freshly grated Havarti cheese, separated
- ¾ cup freshly grated American cheese
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce optional
- ¾ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 2 pounds peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp (16-25 count)s, tails removed
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh, minced parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and have ready a greased, 9x13" casserole dish.
- In a large pot, bring pasta water to a boil and season heavily with salt. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Drain well and add to the casserole dish.
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle over the flour. Whisk for about 1 minute, taking care not to let the mixture brown.
- Slowly, add the cream a splash at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition. Then, slowly whisk in the half-and-half. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring often.
- Remove from the heat and ½ cup of Cheddar, ¾ cup Havarti, and all of the American cheese. Sir until smooth and completely melted. Add the hot sauce, salt, and mustard, and stir once more.
- Add the cheese sauce and the raw shrimp to the casserole dish and top with the remaining shredded cheese. Stir until the shrimp and noodles are evenly coated in the cheese sauce and set aside. Do not taste test with raw shrimp in the dish.
- Add the remaining ⅓ cup butter to a microwavable bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and heat for about 20 seconds or until melted.
- Add the Panko, parsley, and a pinch of salt and mix with a fork until combined.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the macaroni and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the shrimp is fully cooked through. Allow to cool slightly, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Calories: 842kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 31g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 295mg | Sodium: 1777mg | Potassium: 474mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1978IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 623mg | Iron: 2mg