Decadent Shrimp And Bacon Mac And Cheese Recipes

SHRIMP AND BACON MAC-N-CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350. While preparing the shrimp and bacon, cook the pasta and drain. Make sure you cook the pasta, with mac-n-cheese you do not want al-dente because the pasta will continue to absorb later and will make your mac-n-cheese dry.
• Peel and rinse shrimp. Drain well. With 2-3 tablespoons of butter, saute in pan over med-high heat until for 5-7 minutes35 or until cooked. Be careful not to overcook- they can become tough. When done drain from butter and cut into small pieces.
• In another skillet (or on a sheet pan in the oven) cook bacon until slightly crispy. Don't overcook. Cut or break into similar size pieces as the shrimp.
• Grease the bottom of the baking dish with a good amount of butter. Drain the pasta and return the pot to low heat.
• Combine the cheeses and pasta starting with the butter, cream cheese and Greek yogurt. When they are well combined add the additional cheeses, stirring well. Add 1/2 cup of milk and let cheeses melt and combine.
• Add 1/2 cup of the pasta water (the water has the starch in it which will help bind the dish). Make sure to keep an eye that the mixture does not look dry. You want it to be wet, but not over saturated, it will cook off a bit in the oven. Add shrimp and bacon. Stir well and add more milk or pasta water if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet and cover with small bits of butter, Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. For the last 3 turn the broiler to low to brown and crisp the top of the dish.

SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Pour 5 cups water into a saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Add macaroni and boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour until a smooth paste is formed. Slowly pour in milk, stirring to incorporate. Add 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, sour cream, and Cajun seasoning. Drain macaroni and stir into the sauce. Add frozen shrimp and stir to combine.
• Pour macaroni mixture into an oval au gratin dish. Top with panko bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and golden, about 20 minutes.

DECADENT SEAFOOD BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
• Remove the crusts from 8-10 slices of fresh white bread (or french bread) and tear apart. Place the torn pieces into a large plastic ziplock bag. Melt 6 Tbsp of Butter in a small saucepan and pour half of the melted butter over the bread. Seal the bag and toss the bread until well coated. Set aside.
• In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt.
• While the water comes to a boil, take the remaining melted butter and brush with a pastry brush into a 3 Quart baking dish (or a disposable aluminium turkey roasting pan - for easy cleanup and transport). (Also, if you don't have a pastry brush, you can use a paper towel dipped in the butter to coat the pan). Set aside.
• In another large pot on medium heat, melt 6 Tbsp butter and, once melted, add 1/2 cup all purpose flour. Whisk together to make a rue. Slowly pour in the warm milk and whisk constantly until all the milk is added and the sauce thickens and begins to bubble. Remove from heat.
• Add the olive oil to the boiling water and stir in the pasta. Follow cooking instructions on the package for cook time or until the pasta is al-dente (firm, but not hard). Pour the pasta into a colander and rinse with cold running water and allow to drain.
• Add 1/2 tsp Sea Salt, White Pepper, Nutmeg, Tarragon, Cayenne Pepper, Gruyere, Cheddar and Pecorino cheeses to the sauce mixture and stir until the cheese melts.
• In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta and cheese sauce and pour into the buttered baking dish. Combine lobster, sea scallops and cooked bacon. Sprinkle the bread pieces over the top and place in the oven.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cheese bubbles.