Cajun Macaroni Recipes

CAJUN MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the red onion in a bowl of ice water for 15 minutes; drain and pat dry. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook as the label directs. Drain, transfer to a bowl and toss with 3 tablespoons milk. Let cool.
• Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, pickle brine, sugar, hot sauce, remaining 1 tablespoon milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the macaroni, red onion, bell peppers, celery, celery leaves and parsley; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Stir again before serving; season with salt.

CAJUN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 1 minute less than the label directs. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta. Meanwhile, combine the olive oil and sausage in a large skillet over high heat and cook, stirring, until the sausage starts to brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in the scallions and bell pepper and cook until the vegetables are slightly soft, about 3 more minutes. Add the Cajun spice and flour and cook, stirring, 2 more minutes. Gradually whisk in the milk and continue whisking until the sauce is thick and smooth, about 5 more minutes. Add the pasta, cheese and reserved cooking water to the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, tossing to coat the pasta in the sauce and melt the cheese, about 1 minute.

CAJUN MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in large saucepan on medium heat. Add sausage; cook 3 to 4 min. or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Use slotted spoon to transfer sausage to plate; set aside. Add flour to saucepan; whisk until blended. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to boil, whisking constantly. Cook 1 to 2 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add 1-1/2 cups cheese and Cajun seasoning; stir until cheese is completely melted and sauce is well blended.
• Drain pasta. Add to cheese sauce along with the sausage; mix lightly.
• Spoon into 1-1/2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining cheese and bread crumbs.
• Bake 20 min. or until macaroni and cheese is heated through and bread crumbs are golden brown.
• Sprinkle with onions before serving.

CAJUN MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Melt butter in medium sauce pan.
• Add shrimp, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning.
• Cook 3-4 minutes, remove.
• In same pan melt 2T butter, add onion and sauté 1 minute.
• Whisk in flour, cook 1 minute.
• Whisk in milk and heat approximately 4 minutes.
• Add Swiss, cheddar and 3/4 lb. pepper Jack cheese, stir until smooth.
• Add 1/2 teaspoons cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in cooked shrimp and pasta.
• Pour into buttered cassserole dish.
• Top with 1/4 lb. pepper Jack cheese, bread crumbs, 3 T. melted butter and parsley.
• Bake 45 minutes or until browned and bubbling.

CAJUN MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta in a large pot of rapidly boiling water until almost al dente. Reserve cup cooking water, then drain.
• In a large, heavy-bottom saucepan lightly saute onion over medium heat in olive oil until it softens, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, cook for a minute, and sprinkle in flour. Cook 1 minute. Remove from heat and add bay leaf and milk all at once. Return to heat and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, 5 minutes or until sauce thickens. If any flour lumps remain, whisk with a wire whisk for a few moments. Remove from heat, discard bay leaf and set aside.
• Combine pasta with sauce and mix in diced bell pepper, mustard seeds, thyme, paprika, chili powder, prepared mustard and dry mustard. Reserve about 1/2-cup grated cheese and add remaining to pasta. Stir in olives and hot sauce. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Pour into a 2 1/2-quart casserole. Sprinkle top with reserved cheese and breadcrumbs. Dot with butter.
• Bake 30 minutes or until topping is golden, the cheese melted and the crumbs crispy.