Savory Cajun Shrimp & Macaroni Delight

Ingredients

• 1 ½ tablespoons of luscious butter
• 1 shallot, finely diced for a burst of flavor
• 1 clove of garlic, minced to release its aromatic essence
• 2 cups of pipe rigate pasta for a hearty base
• 1 cup of creamy milk to enrich the sauce
• ¼ cup of indulgent whipping cream
• A spritz of nonstick cooking spray for easy cooking
• 1 can (12 fluid ounces) of evaporated milk for added creaminess
• 1 ½ cups of succulent medium shrimp, cooked to perfection
• 1 ½ cups of melty mozzarella cheese for gooey goodness
• ½ cup of tangy Parmesan cheese for a sharp kick
• ⅓ cup of rich Fontina cheese to elevate the dish
• 1 teaspoon of seafood seasoning like Old Bay® for a taste of the sea
• 1 teaspoon of zesty Creole seasoning to spice things up
• Crumb Topping:
• ½ cup of crispy panko bread crumbs for a crunchy finish
• ½ teaspoon of seafood seasoning such as Old Bay® for an extra kick
• ½ teaspoon of Creole seasoning for a flavorful twist
• 1 tablespoon of butter, melted to bind it all together

Step 1

Start by heating up a multi-functional pressure cooker like an Instant Pot® on the Saute setting. Add some butter to the pot, then toss in the shallot and garlic. Cook until they release their delightful aroma, which should take around a minute. Once done, hit Cancel and let the cooker cool off a bit.

Step 2

Next, pour in the pasta and mix it well with the shallot-butter sauce. Pour in the milk and whipping cream. Close the lid securely, ensuring it's locked in place. Cook on high pressure following the manufacturer's instructions, setting the timer for 10 minutes. Give it another 10 to 15 minutes for the pressure to build up.

Step 3

After that, release the pressure naturally for about 10 minutes as per the manufacturer's guidance. Then, use the quick-release method to let out any remaining pressure. Unlock the lid once it's safe.

Step 4

While that's cooking, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch casserole dish with some cooking spray.

Step 5

Now, add in the evaporated milk, cooked shrimp, cheeses, seafood seasoning, and Creole seasoning to the pasta mix. Stir everything together thoroughly before transferring it to the prepared casserole dish.

Step 6

For the crumb topping, combine panko breadcrumbs, seafood seasoning, Creole seasoning, and melted butter. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.

Step 7

Pop the dish into the preheated oven and bake until it's nice and bubbly, which should take around 5 minutes. Then switch on the broiler and broil for 2 to 4 minutes until the top turns a lovely golden brown.