Shrimp Mac & Cheese Salad

Name: Shrimp Mac & Cheese Salad
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 16 servings.
Ingredients: 4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni; 1/4 cup butter, cut up; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream; 4 ounces Gouda cheese, shredded; 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 2 pounds peeled and deveined cooked medium shrimp, cut into pieces; 1 cup chopped onion; 1 cup chopped sweet red pepper; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup chopped celery; 1/2 cup chopped dill pickle; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 8 lettuce leaves

My mother had a recipe similar to this one, but lost it, and no one could find the original recipe. After an exhaustive search on the internet, I decided to re-create the salad from memory. Mom thinks I did a pretty good job! —Daphne DeLaney, Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina

Ingredients

4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter, cut up
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream
4 ounces Gouda cheese, shredded
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 pounds peeled and deveined cooked medium shrimp, cut into pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped dill pickle
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 lettuce leaves

Directions

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually add cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove pan from heat; stir in cheeses until melted. Add macaroni; stir to coat. Transfer to a large bowl; cool to room temperature.
In another large bowl, combine the shrimp, onion, red pepper, mayonnaise, celery, pickle, salt and pepper. Fold in cooled macaroni mixture; cover and chill. Serve on lettuce.