Looking for a twist on a classic mac and cheese? Make this cajun mac and cheese and take your homemade mac n cheese to a whole new level. Add shrimp and this becomes Cajun Shrimp mac and cheese will become a family favorite.
My family loves mac and cheese. I like to be able to make homemade mac and cheese whenever I can. When I am making it for a special occasion for friends, I like to take it up a notch. Making baked mac and cheese with shrimp is an easy way to do just that.
What to Serve with Cajun Mac and Cheese
There are several things that will taste amazing with your shrimp mac and cheese. A few things that you can make with it are:
- Cowboy Caviar
- Comeback Sauce can be a nice dip for your dinner. Simply dip each bite into the sauce or drizzle it on top.
- Loaded Cauliflower Bake
- Broccoli Salad
Variations to Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese
If you want to change this up you can add lobster to make lobster mac and cheese with shrimp or you can add crawfish. With either one that you add, add one pound or the amount you choose.
How Many Weight Watchers Point is Cajun Shrimp Mac n Cheese
The original recipe is 18 points per serving. When you make some changes, this recipe becomes 11 points per serving. If you are willing to use a little less cheese and forgo the bread crumbs, this recipe can be 8 points.
Want More Weight Watchers Recipes?
- 0 Point Weight Watchers Cheesecake
- 2 Ingredient Pancakes
- Ranch Fiesta Dip
- Broccoli Salad Recipe
- Comeback Sauce
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If you like seafood and you like mac n cheese this is a great recipe. Cajun seasoning adds a whole new flavor to this mac n cheese recipe. It can be simply changed up to suit your taste. Add in more shrimp or more crawfish to make it your own.
Ingredients in Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese
8 oz penne pasta
4 slices thick bacon (WW – for the lowest points possible, lower this to 3 slices of bacon)
2 green onions, sliced
1 Tbsp. butter room temp – WW use Light Butter
2 Tbsp. flour
1 cup half and half – WW use Fat-Free You can also use a half and half substitute
1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning
Water
2 cups medium sized peeled and tail off shrimp
1½ c shredded sharp cheddar cheese – WW use Kraft Natural Fat-Free Cheddar
2 c shredded Colby / jack cheese mix – WW use reduce fat Colby jack cheese (To lower this even further, reduce cheese to 1 cup cheese)
1/2 cup panko (bread) crumbs – WW use whole wheat bread crumbs or eliminate the bread crumbs for an even lower point.
How to Make Shrimp Mac and Cheese
1. Add a dash of salt to 1-quart water in a large pasta pot.
2. Bring water to a boil, add pasta and cook according to the package directions.
3. While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon to a crisp so that it crumbles. Use a cast iron skillet or another oven-safe skillet.
4. When the pasta is done, drain and set the pasta to the side.
5. Slice your green onions.
6. Set to the side.
7. Use the same skillet from the bacon, add your butter.
8. Melt butter on medium heat and then add your green onions. Cook 2 minutes.
9. Add 2 Tbsp flour and cook 1 minute.
10. Add your half and half and whisk to prevent clumps.
11. Add Cajun seasoning and mix to combine.
12. Add your shrimp and stir often for 5 minutes.
13. Add in the cheeses and stir until melted.
14. Fold pasta and half of the bacon into cheese sauce.
15. Top the pasta mix with remaining bacon and bread crumbs.
16. Turn your oven to broil.
17. Place your pasta mix into the oven and toast for 5 minutes.
18. Remove garnish with green onions slices.
19. Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.
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- Get this Printable Weight Watchers Weight Loss Journal or the Daily Food Log to add to your existing planner.
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- If you are looking for a simple snack idea that won’t ruin your points for the day. You have to try Built Bar. You can save 12% Off* with Code: SAVE12.
- Use these Meal Prep containers so you have meals ready that are low in points and help you avoid the wrong foods. You can also use the Weight Watchers Freestyle Make It and Take It Kit.
- Make sure you are drinking enough water with a reusable water bottle that helps you track your water. I have these 2 and they work great. Hydr-8 Purple 32ounce Water Bottle with Swivel Lid and 32 oz Clear Sports Water Bottle, Best for Measuring H2o Intake
- If you don’t want to pay for the app to be able to calculate your points, consider the Weight Watchers SmartPoints Calculator for Freestyle Program which is sold by Weight Watchers so you know the Points are right. The online calculators are not always accurate.
- Need to start an Exercise Program? Try this Weight Watchers 15 minute Boot Camp DVD.
Cajun Shrimp Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 4 slices thick bacon WW – for the lowest points possible, lower this to 3 slices of bacon
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 Tbsp. butter room temp – WW use Light Butter
- 2 Tbsp. flour
- 1 cup half and half – WW use Fat-Free
- 1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning
- Water
- 2 cups medium sized peeled and tail off shrimp
- 1½ c shredded sharp cheddar cheese – WW use Kraft Natural Fat-Free Cheddar
- 2 c shredded Colby / jack cheese mix – WW use reduce fat Colby jack cheese To lower this even further, reduce cheese to 1 cup cheese
- 1/2 cup panko (breacrumbs – WW use whole wheat bread crumbs or eliminate the bread crumbs for an even lower point.
Directions
- Add a dash of salt to 1-quart water in a large pasta pot.
- Bring water to a boil, add pasta and cook according to the package directions.
- While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon to a crisp so that it crumbles. Use a cast iron skillet or another oven-safe skillet.
- When the pasta is done, drain and set the pasta to the side.
- Slice your green onions.
- Set to the side.
- Use the same skillet from the bacon, add your butter.
- Melt butter on medium heat and then add your green onions. Cook 2 minutes.
- Add 2 Tbsp flour and cook 1 minute.
- 1Add your half and half and whisk to prevent clumps.
- 1Add Cajun seasoning and mix to combine.
- 1Add your crawfish tails and shrimp and stir often for 5 minutes.
- 1Add in the cheeses and stir until melted.
- 1Fold pasta and half of the bacon into the cheese sauce.
- 1Top the pasta mix with remaining bacon and bread crumbs.
- 1Turn your oven to broil.
- 1Place your pasta mix into the oven and toast for 5 minutes.
- 1Remove garnish with green onions slices.
- 1Allow to cool 5 minutes before serving.
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