Description
A comforting dish featuring tender shrimp, sharp cheddar, and gooey mozzarella in a garlicky cream sauce over elbow macaroni.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 3–4 minutes until pink. Remove shrimp and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes.
- Add heavy cream to the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth, seasoning with paprika, black pepper, and salt.
- Add the cooked pasta and shrimp back to the skillet and toss gently until coated in sauce. If the sauce is thick, loosen it with reserved pasta water.
- Serve immediately, garnished with parsley if desired.
Notes
For a spicier kick, add cayenne or hot sauce. If you prefer lower fat, substitute half the cream with whole milk and add flour to thicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American