Sarasota's Cajun Shrimp Macaroni And Cheese

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 lb cavatappi pasta
• 1 lb medium shrimp, rough chopped (use any size you can get)
• 1 cup pancetta, diced and sauted (bacon is also a good substitute)
• 1 medium onion, diced fine
• 2 celery ribs, diced fine
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 2/3 cups milk
• 1 2/3 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 lb gruyere cheese, grated (you could also use swiss cheese)
• 1/2 lb monterey jack cheese (grated)
• 1 lb cheddar cheese (grated)
• 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
• salt
• pepper
• 1 cup cracker crumb (i used ritz)
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1 tablespoon butter

Recipe

• 1 sauce -- in a medium pot on medium heat, add the butter and melt, then add the flour and mix well to make a roux. slowly add in the milk and bring to a low boil to let the sauce thicken. then add in the cheeses, salt, pepper and cajun seasoning to taste. cook just until melted.
• 2 pancetta -- in a medium size saute pan, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and saute the pancetta. note: if using bacon, skip the butter, the bacon has enough fat. saute until golden brown.
• 3 if you are using the bacon, reserve 1 teaspoon of the bacon drippings and omit the butter when sauteing the shrimp and vegetables.
• 4 vegetables and shrimp -- now, to that same pan add the vegetables and cook until tender, 3-4 minutes. then add the shrimp and stir just to mix everything together. remove immediately, the shrimp will continue cooking in the oven.
• 5 pasta -- cook the pasta according to directions - al dente, drain well, return to the pot.
• 6 combine -- in the pot with the pasta, add the shrimp and vegetable mixture, the cheese sauce, bacon and mix well. pour into a 13x9 casserole dish lightly sprayed with pam or a non-stick spray.
• 7 topping -- melt the butter in a measuring cup in the microwave and add the cracker crumbs and parsley and mix well. top over the casserole dish.
• 8 bake -- in a preheated 350 degree oven, bake the dish covered for 20 minutes, uncover and cook another 10-15 until golden brown and bubbly. remember everything is already cooked, it doesn't take too long. enjoy!