Recipe video above. Plump, juicy garlicky shrimp WITH a silky creamy, cheesy macaroni AND a crunchy parmesan topping?? Be still my beating heart. BONUS: It's all made in ONE POT!
Prep Time7 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time22 minutesmins
Course: Side Dish
Keyword: Prawn Pasta Bake, Shrimp Mac and Cheese
Servings: 6- 8 people
Calories: 558cal
Author: Nagi
Ingredients
500 g / 1 lb peeled shrimp/prawns(Note 1)
3garlic cloves, finely chopped
1tbspolive oil
50 g / 3.5 tbspunsalted butter, divided
3 tbsp / 30gflour, plain / all purpose
2 cups / 500mlmilk, preferably warmed (Note 2)
2.5cupshot tap water
250 g / 8 ozelbow macaroni, uncooked (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:
3/4tspsalt
1/4tsppepper
1tspgarlic powder
1/2tspmustard powder
Parmesan Breadcrumb Topping:
1/3cuppanko breadcrumbs
1/4cupgrated parmesan
1tbspolive oil
Instructions
Preheat broiler/grill on high.
Mix together Breadcrumb Topping.
Heat oil and melt 1 tbsp butter in a large, deep skillet or heatproof pot on the stove over high heat.
Add shrimp, sprinkle with pepper, then cook for 1 minute. Add garlic and cook for another minute until the shrimp has changed colour but not fully cooked.
Transfer to bowl. Turn heat down to medium.
Melt remaining butter. Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
Pour milk in slowly, stirring as you go. Once incorporated and lump free (use whisk if needed), stir in Seasonings, then water.
Once the liquid is hot, add macaroni. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring regularly, until macaroni is almost cooked through, then take it off the stove.
Add cheeses and stir through, then add shrimp. Taste for salt - tweak if needed. It should be saucy (see video) - it gets absorbed. Should still be saucy at this stage - sauce gets absorbed/thickens more in next step.
Sprinkle over breadcrumbs, then place under the hot grill for just 2 - 3 minutes until the top is golden.
Sprinkle with parsley if desired and served immediately!
Notes
1. Prawns/shrimp: I use frozen for convenience. Thaw completely and pat off excess water with paper towels before using.2. Milk: full fat preferred but low fat is ok3. Cheese: FRESHLY GRATED is essential for silky cheese sauce. Pre-grated packet cheese contains anti-caking agents which can cause the sauce to go powdery. Both cheeses can be swapped out for your choice of melting cheese, this is the combination I favour. I usually use cheddar or gruyere for flavour. And mozzarella for cheesiness and richness but with a less intense flavour. In the video, the orange cheese is Red Leicester which is a UK sharp cheddar. 4. Make ahead / storage: Best to make this using my Baked Mac and Cheese recipe which is more suited to making ahead (directions in note 4). Amend recipe as follows - Follow Note 4 Make Ahead directions in the Baked Mac and Cheese recipe. Toss shrimp/prawns with olive oil, pepper and garlic. Mix sauce, pasta and shrimp, pour into baking dish, proceed with recipe.5. Nutrition per serving.
Nutrition Facts
Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese (Prawns)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 558Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 168mg56%
Sodium 1176mg51%
Potassium 376mg11%
Carbohydrates 44g15%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 940IU19%
Vitamin C 0.5mg1%
Calcium 493mg49%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.