Featuring succulent shrimp, Parmesan, white cheddar, pepper jack, and cream cheese, this may just be the most sophisticated (and delicious) macaroni and cheese you’ll ever have!
Here’s a photo of the 4 Cheese Mac-a-Rita Cocktail below.

Ingredients:
1 - large lime, halved
40 - jumbo shrimp (about 1-1/2 to 2 lbs)
(watch our video which shows how to easily peel, process, and devein shrimp)
1 Tbsp - minced garlic
1/2 tsp - salt
1/4 tsp - sugar
8 - small bamboo skewers
1 lb - small shell pasta
3/4 cup - half & half or milk
1/4 tsp - white pepper
8 oz - cream cheese, softened
1/4 tsp garlic powder
8 oz - white cheddar cheese, shredded
8 oz - pepper jack cheese, shredded
1/4 cup - sun-dried tomatoes, cut into very thin strips
3 Tbsp - minced chives (divided)
2 - large eggs, beaten
6 oz pkg - shredded Parmesan
8 - Margarita glasses (See Cook’s Note)
1 tsp paprika (for dusting)
PREPARATION:
In a large bowl, squeeze a lime half over the shrimp (reserve the other lime half for garnish.) Add the garlic, salt, and sugar. Put the bamboo skewers in water to soak.
Cook the pasta according to package directions until just done. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the milk and white pepper and stir over medium-low heat until the milk is hot. Mix the cream cheese into the pasta until smooth, then gradually stir in the garlic, white cheddar, and pepper jack until completely melted. Fold in the sun-dried tomato strips and 1 tablespoon of the minced chives. Keep warm.
Set oven to Broil. Drain shrimp and thread on skewers. Put beaten eggs and shredded Parmesan in separate shallow dishes. Dip shrimp skewers in beaten egg, drain well, and dredge in Parmesan. Broil for a few minutes until cheese is melted and just golden, turn skewers over, sprinkle with additional Parmesan, and broil a few more minutes until golden.
To serve, use your fingertip to rub a tiny bit of cooking oil along the rim of each glass. Dip each rim, a section at a time, into the minced chives. Spoon in mac & cheese until half full, set a shrimp skewer in the glass, and add more mac & cheese. Sprinkle the tops with any remaining chives and dust with pinch of paprika. Cut the remaining half lime into four slices and cut each slice in two. Garnish each glass with a piece of lime. Serve with cheesey garlic bread, a green salad, and a good Sauvignon Blanc. Makes 8 servings
Cook’s Note: Other decorative glasses can be substituted for margarita glasses.
Enjoy!
You Can Read More of Doug’s Recipe Corner Here.
See More of Hugging the Coast’s Fish For Friday Recipes which will help you make the most of your favorite seafood during the rest of the year.
You can also see our list of delicious seafood recipes, organized by type of fish to make it easier for you to find culinary inspiration and ideas.
Please join us for tomorrow’s edition of our special Seafood and Pasta Series when we’ll share our original recipe for a Coastal Carolina Shrimp and Grits Tart.
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October 21st, 2008 at 9:47 am
What a unique way of presentation a simple dish!
November 13th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Oh yum! your recipes are always too delicious -this one, though, takes the cake. dinner tomorrow!
March 6th, 2010 at 10:24 am
[…] Adding an upscale twist to an otherwise modest dish, this version calls for jumbo shrimp, cream cheese and . . . a margarita glass? Definitely one of the stand-out recipes at the 2008 Tillamook Macaroni & Cheese Cook-Off, the “mac-a-rita” cocktail is a unique way to enjoy a delicious dish. Recipe from Hugging the Coast. Save this recipe: […]