Cajun-Inspired Crawfish Mac and Cheese
Indulge in this creamy, cheesy twist on classic macaroni and cheese, featuring succulent crawfish tails and a medley of flavorful cheeses. Each bite offers a rich, savory experience heightened by a hint of cayenne pepper. This dish, perfect for gatherings or a cozy family dinner, is sure to impress with its decadent flavors and satisfying texture.
ingredients
- 16 oz. elbow macaroni
- 2 tbsps. unsalted butter
- 1/2 (16-oz.) package crawfish tails
- 1 (8-oz.) jar pimientos, drained
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
- 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
- 1 cup shredded fontina cheese
- 1 cup milk
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 cup crushed butter crackers, such as Ritz
steps
- 1.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 15 (1-cup) gratin dishes with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.
- 2.
Cook pasta according to package directions, and drain.
- 3.
In a large bowl, combine butter and pasta, stirring until butter melts.
- 4.
Add crawfish tails, pimientos, cheeses, milk, eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne, mixing thoroughly.
- 5.
Divide macaroni mixture between prepared dishes, smoothing tops with a spoon. Transfer to oven, and bake for 10 minutes.
- 6.
Top each portion with crushed crackers and return to oven; bake until edges are bubbly, about 5 minutes.
- 7.
Serve immediately, savoring each cheesy, crawfish-loaded bite.
