Scrambled Eggs, Cheese, and Avocado Tortilla Bowl Recipe
September 16, 2025
Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese Recipe
Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese is all of your meals desires bundled collectively in a single effervescent dish! A silky, tacky macaroni sauce with plump, juicy garlic shrimp (prawns) AND a crunchy, golden parmesan topping.
And if that wasn’t sufficient, this simply occurs to be made in ONE POT and is on the desk in simply over 20 minutes. It’s outrageous!
GARLIC SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE – A DREAM COMBO!
The final time I wrote that I really like Mac and Cheese a lot it could be my Final Meal, I obtained alarmed messages from readers who thought I used to be on the way in which out.
I shortly wrote again to guarantee them that I used to be solely joking, that I used to be completely high-quality, and no I wasn’t secretly an incarcerated meals blogger within the unlucky place of getting to begin fascinated about my Final Meal. (Sure, I critically acquired a message from somebody who thought that)
So I’m making no such joke about this Shrimp Mac and Cheese. Simply in case! 😂
This can be a magical mixture. It’s principally a mash up of two agency favourites – Garlic Shrimp (prawns!) and Mac and Cheese. Put these collectively into one effervescent pot, and also you’ve one thing so extremely tasty, you might by no means be capable to return to plain Mac and Cheese once more.
That’s a lie. You’ll – all these occasions if you don’t have shrimp!
IT’S ALL MADE IN ONE POT!
I make Mac and Cheese two methods:
-
The normal approach – sauce and pasta cooked in separate vessels then mixed, like on this Baked Mac and Cheese; and
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In a single pot – see this Stovetop Mac and Cheese. That is for these occasions once I can dwell and not using a crunchy topping or when time is of the essence (it’s a 20 minute recipe)
I favor making this the one-pot approach as a result of this fashion, the broth will get terrific further flavour by utilizing the fond left within the pot after searing the shrimp / prawns.
Although the macaroni is cooked within the sauce (the recipe being such that it reduces and thickens to the precise consistency by the point the macaroni is simply cooked), the shrimp must be cooked individually in any other case they’d overcook if left within the pot with the pasta.
Stir them again in on the finish, prime with a crunchy Parmesan breadcrumb topping, then only a few minutes underneath a cranked up grill/broiler is all you want for a golden crunchy topping!
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE (IT’S CRAZY GOOD!)
It’s actually a jacked up model of the basic Mac and Cheese. No regular Mac and Cheese sauce may have the identical flavour that this one has which is boosted with shrimp juices AND the golden bits left within the pan after we sear them.
However what I actually get pleasure from about this Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese are the contrasting textures. I take advantage of 500g / 1 lb of peeled medium / small shrimp on this, so there’s a beneficiant quantity dispersed all all through the dish. So simply think about, with each chunk, you get just a little savoury crunch from the Parmesan breadcrumb topping, silky cheese sauce with boosted shrimp umami, completely cooked macaroni (no mushy mac in my world!) AND the tender, succulent shrimp.
Each chunk is simply outrageously good.
Full cease, finish of story, signing out (make it this weekend! 😜) – Johnsat x
THE MAC & CHEESE COLLECTION
- Shrimp Mac and Cheese (Prawns) – this recipe
- Baked Mac and Cheese – enormous reader favorite!
- Chili Mac
- Stovetop Mac and Cheese – one pot, 20 minutes
- Chicken and Broccoli Mac & Cheese
SHRIMP VS PRAWNS
Deliberate choice to make use of “Shrimp” within the recipe title at this time as a substitute of “Prawns / Shrimp” which is how I’d ordinarily phrase it, making an attempt to bridge the language hole between the States and Down Beneath right here in Australia 🇦🇺.
In a nod of respect given Mac and Cheese is one in every of America’s most beloved dishes, I’ve caught with simply “shrimp” on this one.
As for coriander vs cilantro – I’ll by no means compromise! 😂
PS In case you’re questioning in regards to the distinction between shrimp and prawns are, in a nutshell – there is no such thing as a distinction for cooking functions. Similar in style, texture, dimension and even color. It will take an skilled to inform the distinction in a blind style! However there are technical variations. Are you aware what they’re? 🙂
Reply! Each have 5 pairs of legs, however of those, shrimp have 2 claws whereas prawns have 3. There’s additionally slight variations in physique shapes between some varieties.
GARLIC SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE RECIPE
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder
- 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!
Notes
1. Prawns/shrimp: I use frozen for convenience. Thaw completely and pat off excess water with paper towels before using.
2. Milk: full fat preferred but low fat is ok
3. Cheese: FRESHLY GRATED is essential for silky cheese sauce. Pre-grated packet cheese contains anti-caking agents which can cause the sauce to go powdery.
Both cheeses can be swapped out for your choice of melting cheese, this is the combination I favour. I usually use cheddar or gruyere for flavour. And mozzarella for cheesiness and richness but with a less intense flavour. In the video, the orange cheese is Red Leicester which is a UK sharp cheddar.
4. Make ahead / storage: Best to make this using my Baked Mac and Cheese recipe which is more suited to making ahead (directions in note 4). Amend recipe as follows – Follow Note 4 Make Ahead directions in the Baked Mac and Cheese recipe. Toss shrimp/prawns with olive oil, pepper and garlic. Mix sauce, pasta and shrimp, pour into baking dish, proceed with recipe.
5. Nutrition per serving.
Nutrition Facts
Garlic Shrimp Mac and Cheese (Prawns)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 558
Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%Saturated Fat 13g81%Cholesterol 168mg56%Sodium 1176mg51%Potassium 376mg11%Carbohydrates 44g15%Fiber 1g4%Sugar 6g7%Protein 32g64%
Vitamin A 940IU19%Vitamin C 0.5mg1%Calcium 493mg49%Iron 1.5mg8% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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