Shrimp Macaroni Gratin is a comforting, family-favorite dish with a creamy sauce and a golden, crispy cheese topping. It has been one of my favorite dishes since childhood and is still a beloved comfort food in our family today. Especially popular with kids, this gratin is perfect for cozy dinners at home, combining tender shrimp and macaroni in a rich white sauce finished with an irresistible cheesy crust.
Ingredients
- Medium raw shrimp: 20
- Penne pasta: 125 g (4.4 oz)
- Olive oil: 1 Tbsp
- Onion: ½
- Broccoli: 100 g (3.5 oz)
- Butter: 3 Tbsp
- All-purpose flour: 4 Tbsp
- Consommé powder: 1 teaspoon
- Garlic: 1 clove (grated)
- Milk: 2 cups
- Heavy cream: ¼ cup
- Salt: ¼ tsp
- White pepper: to taste
- Shredded cheese: ½–1 cup (enough to cover the surface)
- Panko breadcrumbs: ¼ cup (optional)
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Preheat & prep shrimp
Preheat the oven to 415°F (215°C). If using frozen shrimp, defrost them in cold salted water, then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
2. Start boiling water
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil for cooking the penne pasta.
3. Prepare vegetables
Thinly slice the onion and cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets.
4. Cook pasta and broccoli
Cook the penne according to the package instructions. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli to the same pot. Drain well, toss with olive oil, and set aside.
5. Warm the milk mixture
In a microwave-safe container, combine the milk, consommé powder, and grated garlic. Then microwave it for about 30 seconds—it doesn’t need to be very hot, just warm.
6. Sauté onion
In a sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent.
7. Cook shrimp and add flour
Add the shrimp and sauté until they start to cook through. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until no dry flour remains. Be careful not to let it burn.
8. Make the cream sauce
Gradually add the warm milk mixture while stirring to create a smooth cream sauce. Once thickened, add the heavy cream and season with salt and white pepper to taste.
9. Combine pasta and vegetables
Add the cooked penne and broccoli to the sauce and mix until everything is well coated.
10. Assemble the gratin
Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish (casserole or gratin dish). Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top, then add panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness. (panko is optional)
11. Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Recipe Tips
- Warm the milk before adding: Using slightly warm milk helps the sauce come together smoothly and prevents lumps.
- Panko for extra crunch: Adding panko breadcrumbs is optional, but it’s my favorite way to finish this gratin. The crispy topping contrasts beautifully with the creamy sauce, and my family especially loves the combination of a crunchy top and rich, creamy center.
FAQ
A. Yes. Short pasta like macaroni, fusilli, or shells work well. Just cook according to package instructions.
A. Melting cheeses such as mozzarella, Gruyère, or a mixed blend work well. I used mozzarella for this recipe, but you can easily adjust based on your preference and what you have available.
A. Absolutely. Mushrooms, spinach, or corn are great additions and work well with the creamy sauce.
Shrimp Macaroni Gratin
Ingredients
- 20 Medium raw shrimp
- 4.4 oz Penne pasta (125g)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ Onion
- 3.5 oz Broccoli (100g)
- 3 tablespoon Butter
- 4 tablespoon All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Consommé powder or Chicken powder
- 1 clove Garlic / grated
- 2 cups Milk
- ¼ cup Heavy cream
- ¼ teaspoon Sea salt
- White pepper / to taste
- ½ – 1 cup Shredded cheese / enough to cover the surface
- ¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs / optional
Instructions
- Preheat & prep shrimpPreheat the oven to 415°F (215°C). If using frozen shrimp, defrost them in cold salted water, then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Start boiling waterBring a medium pot of water to a boil for cooking the penne pasta.
- Prepare vegetablesThinly slice the onion and cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets.
- Cook pasta and broccoliCook the penne according to the package instructions. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli to the same pot. Drain well, toss with olive oil, and set aside.
- Warm the milk mixtureIn a microwave-safe container, combine the milk, consommé powder, and grated garlic. Microwave for about 30 seconds—it doesn’t need to be very hot, just warm.
- Sauté onionIn a sauté pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Cook shrimp and add flourAdd the shrimp and sauté until they start to cook through. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until no dry flour remains. Be careful not to let it burn.
- Make the cream sauceGradually add the warm milk mixture while stirring to create a smooth cream sauce. Once thickened, add the heavy cream and season with salt and white pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and vegetablesAdd the cooked penne and broccoli to the sauce and mix until everything is well coated.
- Assemble the gratinTransfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish (casserole or gratin dish). Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top, then add panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness. (panko is optional)
- BakeBake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
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