The final time I wrote that I love Mac and Cheese so a lot it could be my Last Meal, I acquired alarmed messages from readers who concept I was on the method out.
I quick wrote again to guarantee them that I was only joking, that I was perfectly fine, and no I wasn’t secretly an incarcerated meals blogger within the unlucky function of getting to bounce considering about my Last Meal. (Yes, I heavily got a message from human being who concept that)
So I’m making no such joke about this Shrimp Mac and Cheese. Just in case! 😂
Over head photograph of Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese, contemporary out of the oven in a white skillet
This is a magical combination. It’s simply a mash up of NULL agency favourites – Garlic Shrimp (prawns!) and Mac and Cheese. Put these collectively into one effervescent pot, and you’ve anything so quite tasty, you could possibly with the aid of way of no means be capable to move again to plain Mac and Cheese again.
That’s a lie. You will – all these occasions whilst you don’t have shrimp!
IT’S ALL MADE IN ONE POT!
I make Mac and Cheese NULL ways:
The usual method – sauce and pasta cooked in separate vessels then combined, like on this Baked Mac and Cheese; and
In one pot – see this Stovetop Mac and Cheese. This is for these occasions whilst I can stay with out a crunchy topping or whilst time is of the essence (it’s a 20 minute recipe)
I favor making this the one-pot method simply due to the fact this way, the broth will get impressive more flavour with the aid of way of utilizing the fond left within the pot after searing the shrimp / prawns.
Though the macaroni is cooked within the sauce (the recipe being such that it reduces and thickens to the proper consistency with the aid of way of the time the macaroni is simply cooked), the shrimp desires to be cooked separately otherwise they could overcook if left within the pot with the pasta.
Stir them again in on the end, ideal with a crunchy Parmesan breadcrumb topping, then simply only a couple of minutes beneath a cranked up grill/broiler is all you want for a golden crunchy topping!
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE (IT’S CRAZY GOOD!)
It’s truly a jacked up model of the vintage Mac and Cheese. No regular Mac and Cheese sauce could have the identical flavour that this one has that's boosted with shrimp juices AND the golden bits left within the pan once we sear them.
But what I truly take pleasure in about this Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese are the contrasting textures. I use 500g / 1 lb of peeled medium / small shrimp in this, so there’s a beneficiant quantity dispersed all during the dish. So simply imagine, with each bite, you get a bit of savoury crunch from the Parmesan breadcrumb topping, silky cheese sauce with boosted shrimp umami, perfectly cooked macaroni (no gentle mac in my world!) AND the soft, succulent shrimp.
Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese (Prawns)
Recipe video above. Plump, juicy garlicky shrimp WITH a silky creamy, tacky macaroni AND a crunchy parmesan topping?? Be nonetheless my beating heart. BONUS: It's all made in ONE POT!
Ingredients
500 g / 1 lb peeled shrimp/prawns (Note 1)
3 garlic cloves , finely chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
50 g / 3.5 tbsp unsalted butter , divided
3 tbsp / 30g flour , plain / all purpose
2 cups / 500ml milk , preferably warmed (Note 2)
2.5 cups hot tap water
250 g / 8 oz elbow macaroni , raw (2.5 cups)
1.5 cups (150g) cheese (Cheddar, gruyere, or other), freshly grated (Note 3)
3/4 cup (75g) mozzarella cheese , freshly grated (Note 3)
SEASONINGS:
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp mustard powder
PARMESAN BREADCRUMB TOPPING:
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Preheat broiler/grill on high.
Mix collectively Breadcrumb Topping.
Heat oil and melt 1 tbsp butter in a large, deep skillet or heatproof pot at the range over excessive heat.
Add shrimp, sprinkle with pepper, then cook dinner for 1 minute. Add garlic and cook dinner for one other minute till the shrimp has replaced coloration but no longer absolutely cooked.
Transfer to bowl. Turn warmth down to medium.
Melt ultimate butter. Add flour and cook dinner for 1 minute.
Pour milk in slowly, stirring as you go. Once incorporated and lump unfastened (use whisk if needed), stir in Seasonings, then water.
Once the liquid is hot, upload macaroni. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring regularly, till macaroni is virtually cooked through, then take it off the stove.
Add cheeses and stir through, then upload shrimp. Taste for salt - tweak if needed. It ought to be saucy (see video) - it will get absorbed. Should nonetheless be saucy at this level - sauce will get absorbed/thickens extra in subsequent step.
Sprinkle over breadcrumbs, then region beneath the hot grill for simply 2 - 3 minutes till the best is golden.
Sprinkle with parsley if wanted and served immediately!