(BPT) – From casual gatherings to formal parties, the holidays are full of opportunities to elevate your meals with seafood. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or you prefer to throw meals together on the fly, it helps to have affordable, easy-to-prep culinary tricks up your sleeve so you’re ready for anything the holidays bring your way. Fortunately, keeping appetizer favorites handy in your freezer will give you what you need to prep delicious, next-level food in a hurry — or to whip up tasty recipes that are sure to please a holiday crowd.
Ultra Shrimp Mac and Cheese Bites
Store-bought mac and cheese makes this tasty appetizer easier than ever. Try using macaroni and cheese right out of the fridge — it’ll make it easier to roll into balls.
Ingredients
1/2 (18-ounce) package SeaPak Popcorn Shrimp
Vegetable oil for frying
1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated macaroni and cheese (about 2 3/4 cups)
4 large eggs
3 cups panko breadcrumbs
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Marinara sauce, warmed
Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches in Dutch oven and heat to 350F. Spoon prepared macaroni and cheese into a medium bowl. Stir in 1 egg and 1 cup panko. Add shrimp.
Scoop mixture into 2-inch balls using cookie scoop. Whisk remaining eggs in a shallow dish. Place remaining panko in a separate shallow dish. Dip mac and cheese balls in egg and then panko, rolling to coat completely.
Fry balls in batches, 2-3 minutes or until browned and cooked through. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired, and serve with marinara sauce. Makes 8-12 servings.
Note: If using thicker refrigerated baked macaroni and cheese, you won’t need to add egg and panko to the mixture before rolling.
Find more recipes and locate SeaPak products at a store near you by visiting SeaPak.com.
