Name: Cajun Gumbo Mac n’ Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 6 oz smoked andouille sausage. sliced; ½ onion, diced; ½ green bell pepper, diced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; salt and pepper, to taste; 3 tbsp butter; ¼ cup flour; 2 ½ cups milk; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 2 cups shredded Monterry Jack cheese; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp cayenne pepper; several dashes hot sauce, optional; ½ lb small/medium shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 lb cooked cavatappi pasta

RatingDifficultyBeginner

I premiered this recipe on the DISH on Oz and let me tell you the viewers went crazy! I can't really blame them though. We all love mac n' cheese and this recipe is a new fun way to enjoy it. I took all of the amazing ingredients from a New Orleans style gumbo (the smoked sausage, sautéed peppers and onions, and gulf shrimp) and tossed them in a spicy three cheese sauce with pasta. I guarantee this is unlike anything your mouth has every experienced!

Yields10 Servings

Prep Time20 minsCook Time45 minsTotal Time1 hr 5 mins

Cooking spray

6 oz smoked andouille sausage. sliced

½ onion, diced

½ green bell pepper, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

salt and pepper, to taste

3 tbsp butter

¼ cup flour

2 ½ cups milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups shredded Monterry Jack cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tsp salt

½ tsp cayenne pepper

several dashes hot sauce, optional

½ lb small/medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 lb cooked cavatappi pasta

Preheat oven to 375˚F. Grease 2-quart casserole baking dish.

Spray non-stick stock pot with cooking spray and heat over medium heat.

Sauté sausage for 2-3 minutes until browned on each side. Add onions and bell peppers. Cook for 1-2 minutes until softened and browning. Stir in garlic and cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste and remove from pot.

Melt butter in pot. Stir in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes. Continuing to stir add in paprika. Pour in milk. You may want to use a whisk to eliminate any lumps. (Reserve about ½ a cup of cheese to sprinkle on top once in baking dish.) Stir in cheeses. Lower heat and stir until cheese is melted. Add salt, cayenne pepper and hot sauce if desired.

Combine warm cheese sauce with sausage mixture, raw shrimp, and cooked pasta. Stir well and spoon into baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbling and top is golden brown.

CategoryFamily Affair

Ingredients