Honey Paprika Shrimp Mac
A delightful fusion dish combining creamy, cheesy macaroni with tender shrimp glazed in a sweet and smoky honey paprika sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 250 g elbow macaroni cooked al dente
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk warm
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 0.5 tsp salt to taste
- 450 g large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp, honey, and smoked paprika.
- Cook the shrimp for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are pink, opaque, and slightly caramelized. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
- To make the cheese sauce, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the warm milk, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and is smooth, about 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Gently fold the honey paprika glazed shrimp into the macaroni and cheese mixture.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shrimp glaze. You can use your favorite cheese blend instead of just cheddar. Fresh spinach or broccoli florets can be added to the mac and cheese for added vegetables.