Shrimp Mac and Cheese

There’s no rule that you must serve your Super Bowl party guest Chili, but there is an unwritten rule that you must serve them delicious, hearty food that will sustain them through the entire game. This Shrimp Mac and Cheese from Nancy Lowell’s Chef’s Last Diet is that type of dish. Serve up bowlfuls of this and watch them come running!

SHRIMP MAC AND CHEESE

12 Large Shrimp (Peeled and deveined, for 4 servings add 4 more shrimp)
1 cup Orzo
2 tablespoons Butter
2 tablespoons Flour
1 cup Half and half or milk
2oz Sharp Cheddar (Grated)
2oz Fresh Goat Cheese (crumbled)
1oz Parmigiano Cheese (Grated, and about half, set aside)
1/4 cup Bread Crumbs
Ground Black Pepper (4-5 grinds, or to taste)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350F Cook orzo 7 minutes and drain
Step 2
While orzo is cooking, make sauce Melt butter over low heat Add flour and stir to form a roux, and cook, stirring for 2-3 minutes
Step 3
Add milk or cream to roux, slowly, stirring constantly and continue stirring until sauce thickens
Step 4
When sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, add cheddar, goat, and half of parmigaino cheeses, Stir well, and remove from heat When pasta is cooked, drain well, and mix well with cheese sauce
Step 5
Butter, or spray an 8×8″ pan, coat pan with breadcrumbs by sprinkling some of the breadcrumbs in the pan and shaking while turning pan, to coat bottom and sides of pan. Return loose breadcrumbs to bowl with parmigiano that you set aside, and the rest of the breadcrumbs, and mix well
Step 6
Put pasta and sauce into breadcrumb coated pan Top with shrimp, and press shrimp into pasta Cover the top with the breadcrumb and cheese mixtures
Step 7
Bake for thirty minutes, until top is golden brown