Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese is all your food dreams bundled together in one bubbling dish! A silky, cheesy macaroni sauce with plump, juicy garlic shrimp (prawns) AND a crunchy, golden parmesan topping.
And if that wasn’t enough, this just happens to be made in ONE POT and is on the table in just over 20 minutes. It’s outrageous!
GARLIC SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE – A DREAM COMBO!
The last time I wrote that I love Mac and Cheese so much it would be my Last Meal, I received alarmed messages from readers who thought I was on the way out.
I quickly wrote back to assure them that I was only joking, that I was perfectly fine, and no I wasn’t secretly an incarcerated food blogger in the unfortunate position of having to start thinking about my Last Meal. (Yes, I seriously got a message from someone who thought that)
So I’m making no such joke about this Shrimp Mac and Cheese. Just in case! 😂
This is a magical combination. It’s basically a mash up of two firm favourites – Garlic Shrimp (prawns!) and Mac and Cheese. Put these together into one bubbling pot, and you’ve something so incredibly tasty, you may never be able to go back to plain Mac and Cheese again.
That’s a lie. You will – all those times when you don’t have shrimp!
IT’S ALL MADE IN ONE POT!
I make Mac and Cheese two ways:
The traditional way – sauce and pasta cooked in separate vessels then combined, like in this Baked Mac and Cheese; and
In one pot – see this Stovetop Mac and Cheese. This is for those times when I can live without a crunchy topping or when time is of the essence (it’s a 20 minute recipe)
I prefer making this the one-pot way because this way, the broth gets terrific extra flavour by using the fond left in the pot after searing the shrimp / prawns.
Though the macaroni is cooked in the sauce (the recipe being such that it reduces and thickens to the right consistency by the time the macaroni is just cooked), the shrimp needs to be cooked separately otherwise they would overcook if left in the pot with the pasta.
Stir them back in at the end, top with a crunchy Parmesan breadcrumb topping, then just a few minutes under a cranked up grill/broiler is all you need for a golden crunchy topping!
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE (IT’S CRAZY GOOD!)
It’s really a jacked up version of the classic Mac and Cheese. No normal Mac and Cheese sauce will have the same flavour that this one has which is boosted with shrimp juices AND the golden bits left in the pan after we sear them.
But what I really enjoy 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 generous amount dispersed all throughout the dish. So just imagine, with every bite, you get a little savoury crunch from the Parmesan breadcrumb topping, silky cheese sauce with boosted shrimp umami, perfectly cooked macaroni (no mushy mac in my world!) AND the soft, succulent shrimp.
Every bite is just outrageously good.
Full stop, end of story, signing out (make it this weekend! 😜) – Nagi x
THE MAC & CHEESE COLLECTION
- Shrimp Mac and Cheese (Prawns) – this recipe
- Baked Mac and Cheese – huge reader favourite!
- Chili Mac
- Stovetop Mac and Cheese – one pot, 20 minutes
- Chicken and Broccoli Mac & Cheese
SHRIMP VS PRAWNS
Deliberate decision to use “Shrimp” in the recipe title today instead of “Prawns / Shrimp” which is how I’d ordinarily phrase it, trying to bridge the language gap between the States and Down Under here in Australia 🇦🇺.
In a nod of respect given Mac and Cheese is one of America’s most beloved dishes, I’ve stuck with just “shrimp” in this one.
As for coriander vs cilantro – I will never compromise! 😂
PS If you’re wondering about the difference between shrimp and prawns are, in a nutshell – there is no difference for cooking purposes. Same in taste, texture, size and even colour. It would take an expert to tell the difference in a blind taste! But there are technical differences. Do you know what they are? 🙂
Answer! Both have 5 pairs of legs, but of these, shrimp have 2 claws whereas prawns have 3. There’s also slight differences in body shapes between some varieties.
GARLIC SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese (Prawns)
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 , 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:
- 3/4 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 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!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
The sight of a fur ball lazily drifting across the floor is a daily occurrence around here. So I spent my morning coffee break trying to teach him to pick up his own mess.
He seriously almost fell asleep, mesmerised by the fur ball as the breeze floated it across the floor. But no attempt was made to pick it up.
#FailedAgain #DozerOrMe?
Hi Nagi! This is pure Heaven in a pot!! I just made mac n cheese with Polish sausage the other night and now I really want this! I just bught two pounds of shrimp on sale yesterday and I have everything else. I’m never without the ingredients for mac n cheese! 🙂 Hope you are feeling better my friend!
Oooh! SAUSAGE Mac and Cheese, thanks for the idea! I actually have some chorizo in the fridge, was wondering what to make! Feeling much better thanks, and you?? N xx
Hi Nagi
What mustard powder do you use?
I have English mustard powder which is a strong mustard.
Would that do?
Hugs x
Hi Jayne! I’d probably halve that, if it’s stronger than other mustards like the prepared mustard 🙂 I use a generic mustard powder which is more like dijon 🙂 N x
This is delicious..
It IS!
OMG Nagi,
You are such a Temptress!!!! LOL. Sooooo making this ASAP.
You’ll love it!!
I made this tonight, didn’t adjust anything. OMG! My picky husband loved it! Thanks your sharing awesome recipes. I tried many of your Asian recipes (like your pad Thai and pad see eew) and they were very tasty.
Awesome Siu!!! So glad it was a hit!
Hi Nagi – I use home made pasta which I cook from frozen state usually 6 minutes in boiling water – how would you change the timing? (I’m thinking not at all because home made has such a good texture…..
I would never make this with homemade pasta!!! 😂 Way too precious!! 🙂 I actually never use homemade pasta for Mac and Cheese. I find homemade pasta is more fragile that dried pasta so I thought it wouldn’t hold up to the heat of the cheese sauce and it would bloat easier. And I’m not game to try it because…homemade pasta!! precious!! 😂
Made tonight, came together quickly (so nice to not have to preboil the pasta) and it tasted delicious. Used Kraft Creamy Melt shredded cheese with no problem concerning graininess. Loved the toasted bread crumb topping.
Thanks !
Oooh! That’s a great tip on the cheese Gina, thanks for sharing that!! N x
Nagi, Did you not realize that Dozer is training you to pick up the fur balls.
It’s the same as trying to train cats to pick up their toys. We have one cat that selects what toy she wants to play with by hooking a toy out of the toy basket on her claw, looking at it and if that doesn’t past muster she simply flicks it onto the floor and goes through the same process until she sees what she wants. This lovely beautiful natured cat was a SPCA rescued cat who along the line before we adopted her lost her eye and she is such a character. These animals that have lost an eye or limb are the overlooked animals and quite often because they have had a hard life have so much love to give and once they find that they are wanted they give so much love back. Puss Puss tries hard to train mummy and I would say she has succeeded.
Photos of Dozer just make my day as we all know he does yours too. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Ba ha ha! I loved reading about that! And the toy she wants is always at the bottom of the basket, right? 😂 You are so lucky to have found each other. She’s truly blessed to have you (and clearly has you wrapped around her little finger – I mean, paws!)
This recipe looks Delicious! It’s Extremely COLD in in Chicago today. This recipe looks like a perfect winter dinner! I’ll make it tonight. I always enjoy your recipes!
Dozer looks like I feel. He’s such a Cutie!
Thank you for all the inspiring recipes.
Warm Regards ~ Caryn
Thanks Caryn! Hope you stay warm! I hope to visit Chicago one of these days – it’s at the top of my must visit places for my next trip to the States! N x
Where does the uncompromising coriander vs cilantro figure into the recipe?
Poor Dozer — those pine leaf thingies look miserable and are so long!. I’ve never seen those on any pine varieties that grow here, but pets everywhere can manage to find things somewhere that will stick to their hair or fur, I guess.
Just a general comment on US vs Aussie speak and that I’ll never call ANY recipe “cilantro-something” instead of “coriander-something!”!!!
Yummm. This recipe looks easy breezy! Just got to get me some shrimp 😜
Ouch!😂😂 Nagi, you and Dozer are special! He can’t be bothered and you keep trying …😂 Love the perseverance.
Enjoy the weekend! Hugs …🌻😊
He doesn’t even pretend to try. Just flops his chin down on the floor and doesn’t even LOOK at me! #NoRespect
What a buddy is Dozer! Our pets give so much of themselves…precious hairballs to stuff pillows for our heads or to spin into wool for mitts! So generous of them.
And, generous of you to share this great recipe. I have all the ingredients and will make it tonight!
OMG if I used Dozer’s fur for a pillow, it would be the world’s stinkiest pillow. He has the WORST body odour at the moment! 😂
Here is what I would do. Toast the panko in the olive oil on the stove top, cool slightly, mix with parm and sprinkle on top of the mac and cheese. You dirty one small pot, but save the broiling step.
Now THAT, my friend, is a very clever idea! 🙂 N x
Shrimp mac & cheese, you do like to break the rules. Looks creamy delicious to me. I now have this image of Nagi the incarcerated food blogger writing from her Australian prison cell and the lady in all the images isn’t Nagi but her twin sister, Megu. I do have a vivid imagination don’t I or do I.
Dozer looks totally worn out. Too much macaroni no doubt.
Ha!! Keep that imagination going Ron. Keeps me amused!!! 😂
Ron – Oh would you and your beloved and I ever have the bestest luck to be imprisoned with Nagi . . . that would be heaven on earth, not just for the food we three (well, two helpers !) could make and Dozer getting to know a springer spaniel called Lady Chloe but for the bestest beauty in the world . . . priceless sunrises and a pool already warm overlooking the ocean! . . .
Well, you know… if you were there, and Ron was there AND Dozer was there… it’s hardly prison! More like a party! 😂
This recipe is provoking me to cook immediately. Oh don’t have mozzarella cheese at home! Going to buy now.
Go go! 😂