Description
A creamy and cheesy bake inspired by Cajun flavors, combining shrimp, sausage, and pasta for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (such as macaroni)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 pound andouille sausage, diced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, diced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces cream cheese, warmed
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Start cooking the pasta as directed on the package.
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the shrimp seasoned with Cajun seasoning, and cook until cooked, about 2 minutes per side before setting aside.
- Add the diced sausage to the pan and cook, before setting aside.
- Add the butter to the pan, let it melt, and start to bubble, then add the onion, peppers, and celery, and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and Cajun seasoning and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
- Sprinkle in the flour and cook, mixing, until it turns a light golden brown, about 2 minutes.
- Add the milk, mix, bring just to a simmer, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in the cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, and cream cheese and cook, mixing, until the cheese melts into the sauce.
- Mix in the cooked and drained pasta, shrimp, and sausage, and optionally pour into a large oven-safe pan.
- Melt the butter in a pan, mix in the breadcrumbs, and set aside.
- Sprinkle the cheese onto the mac and cheese followed by the breadcrumbs before baking in a preheated 350°F/180°C oven until the breadcrumbs are lightly golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Notes
You can skip the breadcrumb topping and serve right after mixing or add hot sauce to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg