Shrimp and Pesto Macaroni and Cheese

1 week ago 9

Democracy Dies successful Darkness

Shrimp swims happily with pesto arsenic agelong arsenic the basil spirit doesn't overpower the seafood. Add conscionable capable pesto to spirit the food sauce, and you won't spell wrong.

Adapted from a look successful the May-June 2004 contented of Cooks Illustrated.

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 5-6 side-dish servings oregon 4 to 5 main-course

For the topping

2 slices good-quality achromatic sandwich breadstuff (about 2 ounces total), torn into unsmooth pieces (about 2 cups)
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) acold unsalted butter, chopped into 4 adjacent pieces
1/8 cupful freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

For the pasta and cheese

1/2 lb dried elbow macaroni oregon different small, shaped pasta
1 1/2 teaspoons positive 1/2 spoon salt
2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons flour
3/4 spoon powdered mustard
1/8 spoon cayenne capsicum (optional)
2 1/2 cups whole, low-fat oregon nonfat milk, warmed oregon astatine country temperature
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (1 cup)
4 ounces crisp cheddar cheese, specified arsenic Cabot Smooth Sharp, shredded (1 cup)
1/8 cupful to 1/4 cupful prepared pesto, to taste
1/2 lb cooked, cleaned, shelled medium-size shrimp, chopped successful fractional oregon into bite-size pieces if large

Nutritional Facts

Per serving (based connected 5 main-course servings, utilizing low-fat milk)

Calories
640
Fat
32 g
Saturated Fat
18 g
Carbohydrates
53 g
Sodium
800 mg
Cholesterol
155 mg
Protein
34 g
Fiber
2 g
Sugar
2 g

This investigation is an estimation based connected disposable ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s oregon nutritionist’s advice.

Adapted from a look successful the May-June 2004 contented of Cooks Illustrated.

Tested by Jane Touzalin.

Published February 28, 2012

Updated March 14, 2026