Cajun Macaroni and Cheese with Shrimp by Lisa Mazzaferro
Why I Love This Recipe
One of the five finalists selected for Emeril's Best Mac 'n' Cheese Ever Challenge (2008).
Ingredients You'll Need
1 lb. Cavatappi pasta cooked
8 T. butter, divided
1 lb. medium shrimp cut in thirds
1 tsp. cajun seasoning, divided
1 T. grated onion
3 T. flour
3 cups milk
1/2 lb. Swiss cheese (grated)
1/2 lb. cheddar cheese (grated)
1 lb. pepper Jack cheese (grated and divided)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp. parsley
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Directions
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Melt butter in medium sauce pan. Add shrimp, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. cajun seasoning. Cook 3-4 minutes, remove.
3. In same pan melt 2T butter, add onion and sauté 1 minute. Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute. Whisk in milk and heat approximately 4 minutes. Add Swiss, cheddar and 3/4 lb. pepper Jack cheese. Stir until smooth. Add 1/2 tsp. cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in cooked shrimp.
4. In buttered casserole dish add cooked cavatappi pasta. Pour cheese sauce over mix to cover all pasta.
5. Top with 1/4 lb. pepper Jack cheese, bread crumbs, 3 T. melted butter and parsley.
6. Bake 45 minutes.
