Macaroni and Cheese My Way

Recipe courtesy Jan Birnbaum

Show: Easy Entertaining with Michael ChiarelloEpisode: Pot luck Challenge

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (67)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(67)

Cook Time:
40 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 40 min
Total:: 1 hr 0 min

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Ingredients

18 pieces extra-large shell pasta
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup tasso ham or bacon
5 large shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, mined
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup white wine
2 cups cream
1 cup grated fontina
1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
18 medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cups gently packed spinach
Kosher salt and ground white pepper
Hot pepper sauce, to taste (recommended: Tabasco)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley leaves

Directions

Preheat broiler.

Bring a large post of water to a rolling boil, add pasta shells and cook al dente, according to package instructions.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, add the olive oil and tasso or bacon, cook until just crisp,

then add shallots and garlic. Cook and stir over moderate heat just until shallots are translucent. Add the flour, cook stirring constantly to blend and toast the flour, about 5 minutes. Add the white wine, reduce until almost dry. Add the cream, bring to a simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheeses, shrimp and spinach. Gently stir until cheese is melted, spinach is wilted and shrimp is beginning to turn pink. Season with salt and white pepper, to taste. Season with hot sauce, to taste.

Drain the pasta, making sure to shake all of the water off and out of the shells.

In a large ovenproof baking dish, place drained shells. Add the cheese and shrimp mixture and gently fold into the pasta. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and chopped parsley. Place under the broiler until the breadcrumbs are toasted about 2 to 3 minutes.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Macaroni and Cheese My Way
tawanda Columbia , MD 08-10-2009
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the budget version or use what you have at home
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

ok i will make this quick i just found out i have problemswith my colon and i have to change the way i eat i love shrimp but... i really don't like vegatables so i came across this receipe at work (sorry for any misspellings) lol i didn't have a lot of money so i used shrimp had bacon at home and i didn't have enough for shells so i used rice instead, frozen spiinch and alfredo sauce i already had at home i added 2% cheddar and parmeson chese and it is awesome i used the sauce over the rice and no breadcrumbs and it is awesome awesome the budget wayRead more
recipe Macaroni and Cheese My Way
Carolyn Indianapolis, IN 04-27-2009
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Just OK
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

It was expensive to make, and I didnt really like the white wine flavor in the sauce. Also, the spinach clumped together. ... Just didnt taste like mac and cheese to me. More of a salty shrimp and bacon casserole.Read more
recipe Macaroni and Cheese My Way
Susan Chicago Heights, IL 02-14-2009
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Wonderful Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This turned out really well. However, there were a few things not exactly explained on the recipe - and for novice chefs like... myself, it helps to have all the details. Here is what I diid: I bought the Barilla Medium Shells and used about 2.5 cups. For the bacon, I used about 3-4 pieces and cut them up into little pieces before I cooked it. If you can, I highly recommend using the Fontina cheese, I think this really adds to the creamy flavor. I used 1 cup of sharp cheddar as opposed to 1/2 cup. I used 1/2 cup wine, I don't see the need for a whole cup and frankly I'd rather drink that myself with dinner! I bought a bag of the baby spinach and that worked really well. Lastly, I opted out for the breadcrumbs. Unless you have the time to make these, you definitely do NOT want to use store bought breadcrumbs - they don't work well as a topping, they are more for binding. So without the breadcrumbs, I thought it tasted just fine. I also forgot to add the Parmesan, and trust me, this is so cheesy as it is, it probably doesn't need it! Great recipe that made me feel like a really good chef!Read more
recipe Macaroni and Cheese My Way
julie leesburg, VA 05-17-2008
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yummylicious
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I tried this recipe right away. We love it, served it as it's own meal. I will add more shrimp next time and cut them in... halve to have shrimp in every bite. I baked mine instead of using the broil, (my dish is not broiler safe) turned out great. My husband wants me to put the favorite stamp on this one.Read more
recipe Macaroni and Cheese My Way
Anonymous 10-22-2007
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classic made for "grown-ups"
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

great recipe. it was a hit. slight modifications - added 50%-75% more cheese.
recipe Macaroni and Cheese My Way
rachel laredo, TX 06-26-2007
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Deelish!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Made this for Valentine's Day and my family loved it. As I often do, I altered the recipe...simply added extra of my... favorite ingredients, but it would have been great as is. I was surprised to read people were displeased with any part of this recipe.Read more