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?
YUMYUMYUM! I fail to see the greatness of ordinary mac and cheese, but decided to try this recipe to use up some shrimp I had in the freezer (I used cooked ones) and now another printed out recipe of yours goes in my RecipeTin Eats binder (I like having recipes on paper so that I can scribble ond make notes on them). It was so good I had an idiotic smile on my face for the whole meal☺️
Wahoo, thanks for the great feedback Anna!
This recipe looks amazing. I’m wanting to make it for Easter, though I’d have to make it early in the morning and travel two hours with it with a reheat upon arrival. Any suggestions?
Hi! I have the make ahead directions in the recipe notes – N x
Thank you, for sharing your recipe i made a few changes I omitted the mushrooms and green onions because my family isn’t a big fan of either my family never had garlic shrimp with Mac and cheese needless to say they loved it I made 2 pans only a small corner was lefted in one of the pans. Again thank you for sharing.
Where is there mushrooms or green onions in this shrimp n mac recipe
Sounds awesome Mary, I’m so happy you loved it!
Hello, this recipe looks delicious! I’m going to make it this Sunday for family. My oven has a broiler but it’s underneath & I don’t use it. Any suggestion for getting the bread crumbs golden? Possibly baking it, although I don’t want to dry it out? Tysm for the recipe & your time!
This is the third recipe of yours that I have now made – amazing! Just like all the others – Thank you for your easy to follow instructions and delicious eats all the way from Canada
I am not familiar with a broiler/ grill. What is it?
Hi Carol, most ovens are inbuilt with an element in the top of the oven so you can use the “grill” function to heat at a high heat from the top – N x
Going to make this for dinner tonight! When you say finish this off under the hot grill…can I finish off in oven? How long and at what temp?
This will be the 6th recipe of your I have made and they have all been great. Thank you!
Hi Logan, I generally use a grill to heat just the top of the Mac to get that golden colour. If you want to finish off in the oven, just turn it up to a high temp and cook for 5 minutes or until you get a golden top ☺️
Oh sweet jesus I just found your Mac n cheese collection. From my husband to you… THANK YOU NAGI!!
Hi Nagi,
Can you use Dijon Mustard instead of the mustard powder?
Thanks
Made this last night and got rave reviews! So delicious. Kind of sad there is only one tiny bowl left for lunch today…
I made this and used your prime rib recipe for our Christmas dinner today and it was absolutely devine. I had to stop periodically so that I could feel the flavors coming together on my tongue. I can’t wait to make it again. Maybe tomorrow.
I have made a number of your recipes, now, and I have to say that I will trust whatever you say implicitly. “Turmeric in chocolate cake, ya say Nagi? Sure no problem.”
Also, I love the new design of the site. Very fresh and mobile friendly.
I made this last night for dinner .(Fishy Friday ).
My wife gave me full permission to make it again in the future.
It was very enjoyable.
Also straight forward.
Great Spencer! I bet you have one happy wife!
I have made five or six of your recipes and we have enjoyed them all but this one i did myself proud.
Thanks for making it great fun in the kitchen.
Merry Christmas Spencer and Laurie.
Oh my word. This has to be one of the most amazing things ever and I mean EVER! It is so, so naughty, but hey, once in a while you deserve a treat. The kids just polished this off, like nothing I’ve seen (well apart from my chilli) Impressive.
I’m so glad you think so Olly! It’s definitely one of my favourite recipes!
Doing this one for dinner tonight for my wife and I.
Many thanks and Merry Christmas
Spence
I’m excited to try making this over the weekend! I misread and got both cheddar and guyre cheese, would mixing those 2 be too much?
You can never have enough cheese Chella! Do it! 😉
Nope it’ll be terrific!!! 🙂 N x
Love the new look. Easy to navigate. NOTEs are especially helpfull for making gf and dairy free, and everything still tastes amazing. Thanks so much
I call the fur balls “tumblin’ tumbleweeds”. They grow as they roll around and pick up more fur. My two won’t pick them up either, unless you count tumbleweeds hanging from the back of their legs (or mouths). I’m making the mac this weekend. It cold here in Texas and this sounds perfect.
Hi Susan, hopefully this is the perfect winter warmer for you! Love to know what you think of it!
Poor Dozer! Pine is sticky! I can’t even and don’t want to imagine getting any pine leaves like these, ever get stuck to me! 😂
He must have been so darn miserable!
I’ve been having trouble with my phone provider! I’m trying to find another one but still use my same phone. They have taken part of my IP address off or all of it. Shut down my invoice part. Even have gone so far as harassing me when I comment! So I’m beyond frustrated and trying to figure out who I can talk to about this, to make it stop now!
I hope your weekend was great and got rested up N!
Could this be made in an Instant Pot??
Sorry Denise, I don’t think so. It relies on liquid evaporation 🙂 N x
Wow Dozer you are so like luca very adorable. .sorry I got distracted looking at the picture ☺
my 2 favourite things shrimp and cheese ..FYI .I was able to buy from Low Carb Grocery a elbow macaroni by DREAMFIELDS excellent and you can not tell it’s for Diabetic living so if anybody has a problem with carbs it’s very readily available in the USA I pay canadian $3.29 a box
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