Four Cheese Shrimp Mac and Cheese Recipe

Introduction

This Four Cheese Shrimp Mac and Cheese is a rich and comforting dish perfect for seafood lovers. Combining creamy cheese sauce with tender shrimp and a crunchy breadcrumb topping, it’s an irresistible meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pasta (elbow or pipe, rotini)
• 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 medium shallot (finely diced)
• 6 cloves garlic (finely minced)
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
• Ground white pepper (optional)
• 8 oz white cheddar cheese (about 2 3/4 cups grated)
• 6 oz gruyere cheese (about 2 1/4 cups grated)
• 6 oz smoked gouda cheese (about 2 1/4 cups grated)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried garlic
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and keep warm.
2. Step 2: If using frozen shrimp, thaw them in warm water and pat dry.
3. Step 3: Preheat a large frying pan over medium heat and add 1/4 cup butter. Once melted, add the shallot, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Cook 1 to 2 minutes until garlic is softened.
4. Step 4: Add the shrimp to the pan and cook about 2 minutes on each side until they are no longer translucent. Transfer the shrimp mixture to a bowl and set aside.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Then preheat a deep sauté pan over medium-low heat.
6. Step 6: In the sauté pan, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter, then whisk in the flour. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. If the roux begins to brown, remove from heat.
7. Step 7: Gradually add half-and-half in 1/2 cup increments, whisking vigorously until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
8. Step 8: Season the sauce with dried garlic, dried onion, smoked paprika, ground mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, and ground white pepper if using. Stir well.
9. Step 9: Lower the heat to low and add all grated cheeses (cheddar, gruyere, gouda, Parmesan). Stir continuously for 8 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted and smooth.
10. Step 10: Stir the cooked shrimp mixture into the cheese sauce, then add the drained pasta and mix well.
11. Step 11: Transfer the pasta and cheese mixture to a casserole dish or oven-safe skillet, spreading evenly.
12. Step 12: In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, dried garlic, and chopped fresh parsley. Toss to coat.
13. Step 13: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top, and place a few shrimp on the surface for garnish.
14. Step 14: Bake at 425°F for 15 to 25 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
15. Step 15: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or chopped chives. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

Tips & Variations

• Use rotini or pipe pasta shapes to catch the creamy sauce better.
• For extra flavor, sauté the shrimp with a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes.
• Swap half-and-half for whole milk or heavy cream for a richer sauce.
• Add steamed broccoli or peas for a vegetable boost.
• Use gluten-free flour and pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp directly without thawing?

It’s best to thaw shrimp first to ensure even cooking and proper texture. Thaw them in warm water and pat dry before cooking.

What can I substitute if I don’t have all four cheeses?

White cheddar and Parmesan are key for flavor and texture. You can substitute gruyere with Swiss cheese and smoked gouda with regular gouda or mozzarella, but the smoky note might be milder.

Four Cheese Shrimp Mac and Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 85 reviews

• Author: Matteo
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Four Cheese Shrimp Mac and Cheese is a rich and creamy dish combining tender pasta with succulent shrimp and a decadent blend of white cheddar, gruyere, smoked gouda, and Parmesan cheeses. The sauce is infused with aromatic spices and topped with a crispy panko breadcrumb crust, making it a comforting yet sophisticated meal perfect for seafood lovers.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Shrimp

• 1 pound pasta (elbow or pipe, rotini)
• 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1 medium shallot (finely diced)
• 6 cloves garlic (finely minced)
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Cheese Sauce

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt (or to taste)
• Ground white pepper (optional)
• 8 oz white cheddar cheese (about 2 3/4 cups grated)
• 6 oz gruyere cheese (about 2 1/4 cups grated)
• 6 oz smoked gouda cheese (about 2 1/4 cups grated)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Breadcrumb Topping

• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 1/4 teaspoon dried garlic
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and keep it warm while preparing the other components.
2. Prepare the shrimp mixture: If using frozen shrimp, thaw in warm water and pat dry. Preheat a large frying pan over medium heat and melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter. Add the finely diced shallot, minced garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, and ground black pepper to taste. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic softens. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes per side until shrimp turn opaque. Remove the shrimp mixture from heat and transfer to a bowl for later use.
3. Preheat the oven: Set oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the mac and cheese later.
4. Make the roux: In a deep sauté pan over medium-low heat, melt 1/4 cup butter and whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour. Cook the mixture for 4 to 5 minutes without allowing it to brown to form a smooth roux.
5. Prepare the cheese sauce: Gradually add half-and-half in ½-cup increments to the roux while whisking vigorously until smooth and creamy. Once all 3 cups of half-and-half are incorporated, season the sauce with 1 teaspoon dried garlic, 1 teaspoon dried onion, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt, and white pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low.
6. Melt the cheese: Slowly add the grated white cheddar, gruyere, smoked gouda, and Parmesan cheeses to the sauce. Stir continuously with a spatula for 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce is completely smooth and all cheese is fully melted.
7. Combine shrimp and sauce: Fold the cooked shrimp mixture into the cheese sauce to evenly distribute.
8. Add the pasta: Stir the cooked pasta into the shrimp and cheese sauce mixture until all pasta is evenly coated.
9. Transfer to baking dish: Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a casserole dish or an oven-safe cast-iron skillet, spreading it out evenly.
10. Prepare breadcrumb topping: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1/4 teaspoon dried garlic, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley. Toss well to coat the breadcrumbs evenly.
11. Top the mac and cheese: Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the assembled mac and cheese. Arrange a few cooked shrimp on top to garnish.
12. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crisp.
13. Serve: Remove from oven and serve immediately. Garnish with extra fresh parsley or chopped chives if desired. The sauce will thicken as it cools, so it is best enjoyed hot.

Notes

• For best flavor, use freshly grated cheese rather than pre-shredded to avoid any anti-caking agents that may affect melting.
• If frozen shrimp are used, ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry to prevent extra water in the dish.
• You can use elbow pasta, pipe, or rotini shapes as they hold the cheese sauce well.
• Adjust seasoning in the cheese sauce according to taste, especially salt and pepper.
• Oven-safe cast-iron skillets can be used both for stovetop and baking, adding convenience.
• Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and reheated gently as the cheese sauce thickens upon standing.
• To add more flavor, consider adding a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
• The breadcrumb topping adds a nice crunch; do not skip it for texture contrast.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Shrimp mac and cheese, four cheese mac and cheese, creamy shrimp pasta, baked mac and cheese, seafood macaroni and cheese