Best Creole Mac Cheese Recipes

CREOLE SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• While macaroni is cooking, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp; sprinkle with Creole seasoning. Cook, stirring continually, for 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until shrimp is pink, about 2 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Drain macaroni and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking; set aside. Return the pasta pot to the stove and melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until dissolved, about 2 minutes. Add half-and-half; heat for 3 minutes.
• Whisk in cheeses until melted, about 5 minutes. Add mustard; cook for 2 minutes. Turn off heat.
• Add reserved macaroni and shrimp. Stir until heated through. Serve immediately.

CREOLE MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Cook Macaroni noodles according to package directions. Drain rinse and set aside.
• 2. Combine next six ingredients. Except divide 1 cup of the cheddar cheese and set aside. Combine the other 2 cups with the mixture. Also set aside about 1/2 a TBL Spoon of the 1 1/2 TBL spoon of creole seasoning to sprinkle on top.
• 3. Add macaroni to cheese mixture and stir well. Spoon into lightly greased 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining Cheese and creole seasoning.
• 4. If you don't like creole seasoning you can always add paprika instead. Just adjust the amount to taste.
• 5. Bake uncovered at 350 for 35 to 45 minutes

SMOKED CHEDDAR AND CREOLE MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the panko and stir constantly with a wooden spoon, toasting until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.
• In a separate large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk vigorously to combine, being careful not to burn the mixture, 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the bechamel to a simmer, and cook to thicken, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the Creole seasoning and dill.
• Place the egg in a medium bowl. Remove 1/3 cup of the bechamel sauce and whisk it into the egg to temper. Then add the egg-bechamel mixture back into the pot and whisk to combine. Gradually add the smoked Cheddar, Monterey jack and pepper jack, whisking to maintain a smooth texture and avoid clumping. Stir in the cooked pasta.
• Spoon the warm mac and cheese into a serving bowl. Top with the panko breadcrumbs.