Macaroni & Cheese with Shrimp, Rosemary, and Meyer Lemon
Macaroni and cheese is a traditional favorite, that's for sure. This version dresses up the old time dish with shrimp, the savory taste of rosemary, and Meyer lemon zest. The result is sure to be a hit for weekday or weekends alike, along with leftovers for school or brown bag lunches.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat macaroni
- splash olive oil
- 1 lb Large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 3/4 cups Whole milk
- Fresh grated Meyer lemon peel peel of 2 Meyer lemons
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary finely minced
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- Black pepper several grinds
- 3 tbsp Butter plus more for greasing the casserole dish
- 1/4 cup Whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 cup Gruyere cheese finely grated`
- 1 cup sharp cheddar finely grated
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese another hard cheese can be substituted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit & butter a 2-quart casserole.
- Cook the pasta, adding a splash of olive oil to the boiling water as you add the macaroni.
- Cook at a simmer for about 4 minutes, or until a little firmer than al dente. Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
- Toss with another splash of olive oil in a bowl, and add the shrimp, which will begin to cook in the hot pasta. Set aside.
- Add the milk and Meyer lemon zest to a saucepan and heat over a low setting until just barely simmering.
- While the milk heats, add the butter to a large saucepan and melt over a medium-high heat.
- Add the flour to the melted butter, stirring for a minute or two. Pour the hot lemon/milk mixture slowly into the melted butter and flour (or "roue") whisking as you do. The mixture should thicken as you stir.
- Stir in the minced rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for about a minute.
- Add the cheese a handful at a time, reserving about a quarter cup of each type of cheese. Continue to stir as you add, until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is very smooth in texture.
- Add the macaroni and shrimp to the cheese sauce and combine thoroughly.
- Add the macaroni mixture to the casserole dish.
- Top with the remaining cheese you've held back.
- Bake in the oven for about 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
