SARASOTA'S CAJUN SHRIMP MACARONI AND CHEESE

Sarasota's Cajun Shrimp Macaroni and Cheese image

I love Lobster Mac and Cheese, but it is just too expensive. So this was my answer. However I like to add a few different cheeses to mine, celery for some crunch and pancetta for extra flavor with a cracker crumb topping.

Provided by SarasotaCook

Categories Cheese

Time 1h

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 19

Ingredients

1 lb cavatappi pasta
1 lb medium shrimp, rough chopped (use any size you can get)
1 cup pancetta, diced and sauted (bacon is also a good substitute)
1 medium onion, diced fine
2 celery ribs, diced fine
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 2/3 cups milk
1 2/3 cups heavy cream
1/2 lb gruyere cheese, grated (you could also use swiss cheese)
1/2 lb monterey jack cheese (grated)
1 lb white cheddar cheese (grated)
1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
salt
pepper
1 cup cracker crumb (I used Ritz)
1 teaspoon parsley
1 tablespoon butter

Steps:

Sauce -- In a medium pot on medium heat, add the butter and melt, then add the flour and mix well to make a roux. Slowly add in the milk and bring to a low boil to let the sauce thicken. Then add in the cheeses, salt, pepper and cajun seasoning to taste. Cook just until melted.
Pancetta -- In a medium size saute pan, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and saute the pancetta. NOTE: If using bacon, skip the butter, the bacon has enough fat. Saute until golden brown.
If you are using the bacon, reserve 1 teaspoon of the bacon drippings and omit the butter when sauteing the shrimp and vegetables.
Vegetables and Shrimp -- Now, to that same pan add the vegetables and cook until tender, 3-4 minutes. Then add the shrimp and stir just to mix everything together. Remove immediately, the shrimp will continue cooking in the oven.
Pasta -- Cook the pasta according to directions - al dente, drain well, return to the pot.
Combine -- In the pot with the pasta, add the shrimp and vegetable mixture, the cheese sauce, bacon and mix well. Pour into a 13x9 casserole dish lightly sprayed with pam or a non-stick spray.
Topping -- Melt the butter in a measuring cup in the microwave and add the cracker crumbs and parsley and mix well. Top over the casserole dish.
Bake -- In a preheated 350 degree oven, bake the dish covered for 20 minutes, uncover and cook another 10-15 until golden brown and bubbly. Remember everything is already cooked, it doesn't take too long. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1063.6, Fat 66.1, SaturatedFat 40.3, Cholesterol 296.6, Sodium 794.2, Carbohydrate 63.4, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 2.4, Protein 53.1