Growing up, mac and cheese was always a staple in my household. It was the perfect comfort food after a long day at school or a chilly evening playing outside. As I got older, I started branching out and trying different variations of this classic dish. Let me tell you, I recently stumbled upon a recipe that takes mac and cheese to a whole new level.
First, we start with creamy, satisfying cheese sauce. But we don’t stop there. This recipe incorporates succulent shrimp into the mix, adding a depth of flavor and texture that is downright irresistible. And the best part? We can make it right in our own kitchens with this easy-to-follow recipe.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb. elbow macaroni
– 1 lb. cooked shrimp
– ½ cup butter
– ½ cup all-purpose flour
– 2 cups milk
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1 tsp onion powder
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– 1 tsp paprika
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 tsp pepper
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
4. Gradually whisk in milk and cream until sauce is smooth.
5. Add onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
6. Add cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
7. Add cooked macaroni and shrimp to the saucepan. Stir until macaroni and shrimp are evenly coated in the cheese sauce.
8. Transfer mac and cheese to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
9. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Serve this delectable dish with a side salad or some garlic bread for the ultimate comfort food experience. Trust me, once you try this shrimp mac and cheese, you’ll never want to go back to the plain ol’ boring stuff again.
Enjoy your culinary masterpiece and let the nostalgia of a comforting childhood favorite overtake you.