Cajun Crawfish Mac and Cheese
Packed with succulent crawfish, spicy andouille sausage, and vegetables all mixed with a rich cheese sauce -- this Cajun mac and cheese as a whole new level of decadent and delicious.
Servings 6 servings
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- 2 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 16 oz. box large elbow pasta
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 1 lb andouille sausage chopped
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 4 multi colored bell peppers chopped
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- ½ lb crawfish meat thawed
- ½ cup unsalted sweet cream butter softened
- ½ cup flour
- 4 cup whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese
- 8 oz shredded pepper Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain, reserve some pasta water, then set the pasta aside.8 cups water, 2 1/2 tsp kosher salt, 1 16 oz. box large elbow pasta
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat.1 tbsp canola oil
- Add the sausage, onion, and chopped peppers. Cook until the sausage has begun to brown and the vegetables are tender.1 lb andouille sausage, 1 yellow onion, 4 multi colored bell peppers
- Add in the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove the sausage and vegetables from the skillet and set them aside.1 tbsp minced garlic
- In the same skillet, melt the butter, then add the flour. Whisk together for 3 minutes.½ cup unsalted sweet cream butter, ½ cup flour
- Gradually whisk in the milk (or cream or half & half), stirring continuously. Increase the heat to a medium-high while whisking constantly for about 4 minutes or until it starts to become thick.4 cup whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream
- Add the Cajun seasoning to the roux mixture and stir.2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- Remove the skillet from the heat, then begin gradually adding the shredded cheese, whisking until the cheese is completely melted before adding more. Continue until you have a smooth and creamy cheese sauce.8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese, 8 oz shredded pepper Jack cheese
- Add the pasta, sausage, crawfish, and pepper mixture to the cheese sauce. Fold in until well combined.½ lb crawfish meat
- Transfer the mac and cheese to a large cast iron skillet or baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
- Serve, and enjoy!