Creamy Baked Shrimp & Cheese (Printable Version)
Tender shrimp and pasta enveloped in creamy cheese sauce, baked to golden perfection with a melty mozzarella topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Base
01 -
2 cups cooked macaroni or penne pasta
02 -
300g shrimp, peeled and deveined
03 -
2 tablespoons butter
04 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
05 -
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
06 -
1/2 teaspoon paprika or chili flakes (optional)
→ For the Sauce
07 -
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 -
2 tablespoons butter
09 -
2 cups milk
10 -
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
11 -
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 -
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
→ For Topping
13 -
Extra mozzarella cheese for gratinating
14 -
Reserved cooked shrimp for garnish
# Steps To Follow:
01 -
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add shrimp, season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 -
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually add milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens. Add mozzarella, Parmesan, and nutmeg, stirring until smooth and completely melted.
03 -
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with most of the cooked shrimp (reserving some for topping) and pour the cheese sauce over. Gently fold everything together until well coated. Transfer the mixture to a deep baking dish or clay pot.
04 -
Sprinkle the top with additional mozzarella cheese and arrange the reserved shrimp decoratively on top. Bake at 200°C (390°F) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
# Notes and Tips:
01 -
For best results, slightly undercook the pasta as it will continue to cook during baking.
02 -
This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake.