Creamy Cashew Sour Topping
◷ 6 min
Main CourseReader rated
Cajun-Style Mac and Cheese with Shrimp
This creamy, cheesy dish brings a spicy twist to a classic comfort food, perfectly balanced with tender, flavorful shrimp. It’s a quick and satisfying meal that’s sure to please both family and friends.
◷45 minTotal Time
♜4Servings
▥MediumDifficulty
Ingredients
4servings
Instructions
1
Saut Shallots and Garlic
Start by turning on your pressure cooker and setting it to sauté. Melt the butter, then toss in the shallot and garlic, cooking them just until they smell amazing—about a minute or so. Turn off the sauté and let the pot cool down a bit.
2
Add Pasta and Cream
Next, add the pasta right into the pot and give it a good stir so it’s coated with that buttery shallot goodness. Pour in the milk and whipping cream, then seal the lid and set your pressure cooker to high pressure for 10 minutes. It might take 10 to 15 minutes to build up pressure before the timer starts.
3
Release Pressure Safely
Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for about 10 minutes before finishing it off with a quick release. Carefully open the lid.
4
Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish
While that’s happening, preheat your oven to 350°F and spray an 8x8-inch casserole dish with some cooking spray.
5
Mix and Combine Ingredients
Stir in the evaporated milk, cooked shrimp, cheeses, and both the seafood and Creole seasonings into your pasta mixture until everything’s well combined. Pour it all into the casserole dish.
6
Prepare the crumb topping
For the topping, mix together the panko, seafood seasoning, and Creole seasoning, then stir in the melted butter until it’s evenly coated. Sprinkle this crumbly topping over the casserole.
7
Bake and Broil
Pop it in the oven and bake until it’s bubbling, about 5 minutes. Then switch on the broiler and watch carefully as the top turns a beautiful golden brown—this should take 2 to 4 minutes. Enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This dish combines creamy, cheesy pasta with bold, spicy flavors from the Cajun seasoning. The addition of shrimp adds a nice protein boost and a touch of seafood sweetness. It’s comforting, satisfying, and full of vibrant flavors that make every bite exciting.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness. A squeeze of fresh lemon over the top can brighten the flavors. Crusty bread or garlic bread also pairs well to help scoop up any extra sauce.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to loosen the sauce if it thickens. Avoid freezing, as the texture of the shrimp and cheese sauce may change.
