Last week we did TGI Fish, so this week it is all about the shrimp.  I wanted a simple all family recipe for this Friday.  I couldn’t think of anything with more all family appeal than macaroni and cheese with popcorn shrimp!  I love this recipe because it is a deliciously simple way to get kids to eat more seafood. I just added some shrimp to something they all ready love!

The simple way to make this dish is bake some popcorn shrimp while making a box of macaroni and cheese.  Scoop macaroni and cheese onto plate and top with popcorn shrimp. However I like to dress it up a bit.  After I make the macaroni and cheese I put it into little individual baking dishes (which double as serving dishes), top with shredded cheddar cheese then melt it under the broiler before adding the shrimp and serving. Sometimes I even substitute butterfly shrimp for the popcorn shrimp.  I like to cut the tails off the butterfly shrimp before adding them to the top of the mac and cheese.   

My nieces like it when I serve this dish with ketchup.  Of course they like everything served with ketchup!  The gourmet in me just couldn’t bring myself to add “ketchup” as an optional ingredient to this recipe so I will leave any additional “toppings” to your discretion.

All you need to round out this dinner is a serving or two of fruits and vegetables.  I am planning on serving this with steamed broccoli and fresh baby carrots with ranch dressing.  Voila!  Another delicious seafood meal your family will love!  And the best part is it is ready in under 20 minutes!  So what are you making for dinner?

Popcorn Shrimp Mac N’ Cheese

Prep time: 5 minutes  Cook Time: 10 minutes  Makes: 4-6 servings

• 1 package (20 oz) SeaPak® Popcorn Shrimp or SeaPak® Shrimp Poppers
• 1 package macaroni and cheese
• milk and butter (if needed to prepare macaroni and cheese)
• shredded Cheddar or cheese of your choice

PREPARE the shrimp and macaroni and cheese according to package instructions

POUR macaroni into a serving dish, top with hot shrimp.

OPTIONAL PREPARATION

SPOON finished macaroni to small single serve baking dishes, top with shredded cheese and broil for 2 minutes.

TOP with hot shrimp and serve.