Food Network

COOKING
•  Baking
•  Cooking Guides
•  Cooking Demos
•  Cooking For Kids
•  Culinary Q&A
•  Encyclopedia
•  Holiday Baking
•  International Cooking
•  Recipe Collections
•  Recipes of the Day

Click here for a random recipe. Get a new recipe every time you click!

Find a TV Show
Today's TV Schedule

Find an Episode
Episode Topic
Or was shown during

Sponsor
Recommendations

Email Print Full Page  | Print 3x5 Card  | Print 4x6 Card

Macaroni and Cheese My Way
Recipe courtesy Jan Birnbaum
Show:  Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello
Episode:  Pot luck Challenge
18 pieces extra-large shell pasta
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup tasso ham or bacon
5 large shallots, minced
1 clove garlic, mined
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup white wine
2 cups cream
1 cup grated fontina
1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
18 medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cups gently packed spinach
Kosher salt and ground white pepper
Hot pepper sauce, to taste (recommended: Tabasco)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley leaves

Preheat broiler.

Bring a large post of water to a rolling boil, add pasta shells and cook al dente, according to package instructions.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, add the olive oil and tasso or bacon, cook until just crisp,
then add shallots and garlic. Cook and stir over moderate heat just until shallots are translucent. Add the flour, cook stirring constantly to blend and toast the flour, about 5 minutes. Add the white wine, reduce until almost dry. Add the cream, bring to a simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheeses, shrimp and spinach. Gently stir until cheese is melted, spinach is wilted and shrimp is beginning to turn pink. Season with salt and white pepper, to taste. Season with hot sauce, to taste.

Drain the pasta, making sure to shake all of the water off and out of the shells.

In a large ovenproof baking dish, place drained shells. Add the cheese and shrimp mixture and gently fold into the pasta. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and chopped parsley. Place under the broiler until the breadcrumbs are toasted about 2 to 3 minutes.

Other Recipes from this Episode
Ambrosia Extreme Makeover
Rockin' Celery Boats
Green Bean Casserole

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

 
User Rating5 Stars
  Rate Recipe   Read Reviews
  Ratings & Reviews FAQ


 
Shop For This Recipe
 

  Shop by host
  Shop for cheese
  Shop for cookware
  Shop for cookbooks
  Visit the Food Network Store