Welcome to a tantalizing culinary journey with our Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese recipe article! Immerse yourself in a symphony of flavors as we present not just one, but three delectable variations of this classic comfort food. Our first recipe, **Classic Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese**, is a timeless masterpiece that combines succulent shrimp, creamy cheese sauce, and tender macaroni in a harmonious embrace. Next up, we have the **Spicy Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese**, a fiery rendition that ignites your taste buds with a zesty kick. And for those who prefer a touch of elegance, our **Lobster Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese** elevates the dish to new heights with the addition of luxurious lobster meat. With easy-to-follow instructions and a treasure trove of culinary tips, this article is your gateway to a delightful and memorable dining experience. So, let's dive in and create a feast that will leave you craving for more!
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
CAJUN SHRIMP MACARONI AND CHEESE
A spicy Cajun shrimp version of my favorite macaroni and cheese recipe.
Provided by Michelle
Categories Main Course
Time 1h20m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 652 kcal, Carbohydrate 55 g, Protein 40 g, Fat 40 g, SaturatedFat 24 g, Cholesterol 253 mg, Sodium 947 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 7 g, ServingSize 1 serving
CAJUN SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE
This macaroni and cheese gets elevated by the addition of shrimp. It partially cooks in the Instant Pot® and is finished in the oven. Please shred cheese yourself; if you use pre-shredded cheese, it will not be creamy.
Provided by thedailygourmet
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Shrimp
Time 55m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Melt butter in the pot. Add shallot and garlic; saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Hit Cancel button and allow the cooker to cool.
- Pour in pasta and stir to coat with shallot-butter sauce. Add milk and whipping cream. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, for 10 minutes. Use the quick-release method to release remaining pressure. Unlock and remove the lid.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat an 8x8-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Add evaporated milk, cooked shrimp, cheeses, seafood seasoning, and Creole seasoning to the pasta mixture; mix to thoroughly combine. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish.
- Mix panko, seafood seasoning, and Creole seasoning together for the crumb topping. Mix in melted butter. Spread over casserole dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling, about 5 minutes. Switch on the broiler and broil until top of casserole is golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 508.6 calories, Carbohydrate 45.1 g, Cholesterol 142.7 mg, Fat 24.3 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 30.1 g, SaturatedFat 14.5 g, Sodium 830.2 mg, Sugar 10.3 g
CAJUN SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE
This Cajun Shrimp mac and cheese is creamy, spicy and totally delicious!
Provided by Tanya Schroeder
Categories Pasta
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and bell peppers and cook for 2 minutes. Add minced garlic, stir and cook an additional minute or until vegetables have softened. Remove vegetables and set aside.
- Add the butter to the same skillet. Add shrimp and Cajun seasoning, tossing to coat. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes or until no longer pink.
- Meanwhile prepare pasta according to package directions.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add butter and flour whisking until combined. Slowly whisk milk and heavy cream and continue to whisk until smooth. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook milk mixture for 3-5 minutes or until it begins to thicken (do not let the milk boil). Whisk in cheese and stir until smooth. Carefully toss pasta with cheese sauce and cooked vegetables.
- Pour pasta into a cast iron skillet that is sprayed with cooking spray. Arrange shrimp over the pasta. In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle bread crumbs over pasta.
- Place pasta in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or just until cheese has set Preheat broiler and broil pasta for 3 minutes or just until bread crumbs are golden, and cheese bubbles.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 620 calories, Carbohydrate 40 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 253 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 35 grams fat, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 35 grams protein, SaturatedFat 20 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 1547 milligrams sodium, Sugar 2 grams sugar, TransFat 1 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams unsaturated fat
SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE
This macaroni and cheese takes on a subtle coastal flair with the addition of shrimp. I used cooked salad shrimp as I found the size comparable to the elbow macaroni.
Provided by thedailygourmet
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Shrimp
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Pour 5 cups water into a saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add macaroni and boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until a smooth paste is formed. Slowly pour in milk, stirring to incorporate. Add 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, sour cream, and Cajun seasoning. Drain macaroni and stir into the sauce. Add frozen shrimp and stir to combine.
- Pour macaroni mixture into an oval au gratin dish. Top with panko bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons Cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and golden, about 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 232.1 calories, Carbohydrate 16.6 g, Cholesterol 83 mg, Fat 12.2 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 14.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.5 g, Sodium 288.3 mg, Sugar 2.8 g
CAJUN MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH SHRIMP
I had this at my monthly Bunco group. One of the lady's husbands made it and gave us the recipe. It is to die for. I add in diced green pepper, saute it with the shrimp and more seasoning than called for when I make it.
Provided by RepoGuysWife
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Melt butter in medium sauce pan.
- Add shrimp, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning.
- Cook 3-4 minutes, remove.
- 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 teaspoons cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in cooked shrimp and pasta.
- Pour into buttered cassserole dish.
- Top with 1/4 lb. pepper Jack cheese, bread crumbs, 3 T. melted butter and parsley.
- Bake 45 minutes or until browned and bubbling.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 871, Fat 51, SaturatedFat 31.5, Cholesterol 221.5, Sodium 1031.6, Carbohydrate 54.4, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 2.6, Protein 47.7
SARASOTA'S CAJUN SHRIMP MACARONI AND CHEESE
I love Lobster Mac and Cheese, but it is just too expensive. So this was my answer. However I like to add a few different cheeses to mine, celery for some crunch and pancetta for extra flavor with a cracker crumb topping.
Provided by SarasotaCook
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Sauce -- In a medium pot on medium heat, add the butter and melt, then add the flour and mix well to make a roux. Slowly add in the milk and bring to a low boil to let the sauce thicken. Then add in the cheeses, salt, pepper and cajun seasoning to taste. Cook just until melted.
- Pancetta -- In a medium size saute pan, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and saute the pancetta. NOTE: If using bacon, skip the butter, the bacon has enough fat. Saute until golden brown.
- If you are using the bacon, reserve 1 teaspoon of the bacon drippings and omit the butter when sauteing the shrimp and vegetables.
- Vegetables and Shrimp -- Now, to that same pan add the vegetables and cook until tender, 3-4 minutes. Then add the shrimp and stir just to mix everything together. Remove immediately, the shrimp will continue cooking in the oven.
- Pasta -- Cook the pasta according to directions - al dente, drain well, return to the pot.
- Combine -- In the pot with the pasta, add the shrimp and vegetable mixture, the cheese sauce, bacon and mix well. Pour into a 13x9 casserole dish lightly sprayed with pam or a non-stick spray.
- Topping -- Melt the butter in a measuring cup in the microwave and add the cracker crumbs and parsley and mix well. Top over the casserole dish.
- Bake -- In a preheated 350 degree oven, bake the dish covered for 20 minutes, uncover and cook another 10-15 until golden brown and bubbly. Remember everything is already cooked, it doesn't take too long. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1063.6, Fat 66.1, SaturatedFat 40.3, Cholesterol 296.6, Sodium 794.2, Carbohydrate 63.4, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 2.4, Protein 53.1
CAJUN SHRIMP MAC N CHEESE RECIPE - (4.4/5)
Provided by mjohnmeyer
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. Heat oven to 400. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside. 2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the chopped shrimp and 1/2 a teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning. Set aside. 3. In a large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk and allow the sauce to come to a simmer (3-4 minutes). 4. Stir in the Pepper Jack and the cheddar cheese, adding a handful at a time and stirring with a wooden spoon until completely melted before adding the next handful. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, a little salt and pepper, and turn off the heat. 5. Add the pasta and shrimp to the sauce. Stir with a wooden spoon until everything is completely combined and evenly distributed. Pour the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. 6. Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the Panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over top the mac n cheese. 7. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until panko is golden brown. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving. navywifecook.com
Tips:
- Use Fresh Shrimp: Fresh shrimp imparts a succulent and briny flavor to the dish. Ensure the shrimp are deveined and tails removed for a seamless dining experience.
- Cook the Shrimp Properly: Overcooking can result in tough and rubbery shrimp. Cook them until they turn opaque and pink, indicating they are perfectly done.
- Use a Good Quality Macaroni: Opt for a high-quality macaroni that holds its shape well during cooking and absorbs the creamy sauce.
- Make a Creamy Cheese Sauce: Use a combination of cheeses that melts smoothly and provides a rich, velvety texture. A blend of cheddar, Parmesan, and cream cheese works wonderfully.
- Add Vegetables for Extra Nutrition: Incorporate chopped bell peppers, onions, or spinach into the macaroni and cheese for a boost of color and nutrients.
- Use a Roux for a Thicker Sauce: A roux made from butter and flour helps thicken the cheese sauce, resulting in a smooth and luscious consistency.
- Season Well: Don't shy away from using spices and herbs to enhance the flavors. Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder are excellent choices.
- Top with Breadcrumbs or Panko: A crispy topping of breadcrumbs or panko adds a delightful textural contrast to the creamy macaroni and cheese.
Conclusion:
Cajun shrimp mac and cheese is an irresistible dish that combines the bold flavors of Cajun cuisine with the comforting richness of mac and cheese. By following these tips and using high-quality ingredients, you can create a delectable and satisfying meal that will impress family and friends alike. Enjoy the harmonious blend of succulent shrimp, creamy cheese sauce, and tender macaroni, all infused with the vibrant flavors of Cajun spices. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner, a potluck gathering, or a special occasion. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love