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Salmon Mac and Cheese

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This salmon mac and cheese is real comfort food that you can easily make in 30 minutes.

Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is so simple to make from scratch. It features my version of a fail safe white sauce that makes life so easy and stress free.

Bon appétit!   

Smoked Salmon Mac and Cheese is the perfect comfort food. So easy to make with lightly smoked salmon fillets or other salmon. It's cheesey and delicious!
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If I'm being honest with you I had never really had mac and cheese until I got a fussy eater in the family. My eldest could just about tolerate pasta in a cheese sauce, so it was just called cheesy pasta in our house. In fact, it was the first thing I taught him how to make, using the cheat's method for a white sauce.

Nowadays, our family loves a pasta bake, so this salmon version is a real favourite. The salmon cooks in minutes, the sauce comes out perfectly every time and salmon and cheese go so well together too.

❤️ Why you will love this dish

  • Ready in 30 minutes.
  • Family friendly.
  • Simple white sauce that you can use for lasagne or mornay dishes.
  • Easy to vary and substitute the ingredients.

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Smoked Salmon Mac and Cheese is the perfect comfort food. So easy to make with lightly smoked salmon fillets or other salmon. It's cheesey and delicious!

🥘 Ingredients

  • Milk - whole or semi skimmed milk. I find that the sauce is creamy enough to use semi skimmed as there will be cheese in it.
  • Butter - salted or unsalted. If you use salted, as I usually do, please taste the sauce before adding more salt.
  • Flour - plain or all purpose flour to thicken the sauce.
  • Pasta - macaroni, normally small straight pieces are found in the UK and the US uses elbow macaroni.
  • Cheese - mature Cheddar for the sauce and Parmesan for the topping. If you can, buy ungrated cheese, as as soon as it is grated it starts to lose its flavour and dries out.
  • Mustard - I've used mustard powder as it balances out the cheese, but this is totally optional.
  • Breadcrumbs - fresh breadcrumbs are best for the topping. Use some bread that is a few days old, cut off the crusts and blitz in a food processor.
  • Salmon - fresh or frozen salmon fillets, (defrosted). This is the equivalent of 2 portions.
  • Seasoning - salt and freshly ground black pepper. The quantities given are a guideline and the sauce should be seasoned to taste. This is especially important as the cheese will make the sauce slightly salty.

🍽 Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • whisk
  • large saucepan
  • box grater
  • 4 oven proof dishes or 1 large dish
  • colander

🔪 Instructions

Place the salmon fillets in a pan with enough water to cover. Bring to the boil and then turn off the heat.

Cook the macaroni according to the pack instruction and then drain in a colander.

Leave the salmon in the water while you make the sauce. The fish will be cooking further in the oven so there is no need to overcook.

Smoked Salmon Mac and Cheese is the perfect comfort food. So easy to make with lightly smoked salmon fillets or other salmon. It's cheesey and delicious!

Make the sauce by putting the milk, flour and butter in a saucepan over a medium heat.

Whisk continuously, as the butter melts and, as the sauce comes to a simmer it will thicken.

At this stage you have a basic white sauce which has so many uses such as a base for lasagne.

Turn the heat down, then add the seasoning, mustard and grated cheddar cheese and mix well.

⏲️ Cooking Time

Drain the fish and flake into large chunks. Gently mix together the macaroni, salmon and sauce and spoon into individual greased serving dishes or a large casserole dish.

Sprinkle over a mixture of Parmesan and breadcrumbs and bake at 190 C / 375 F / 170 FAN / Gas 5 for about 15 minutes until golden. 

🥗 Side Dishes

Serve straightaway, on its own or with salad or vegetables dishes.

🥙 Substitutions

  • Fresh salmon - use drained tinned salmon.
  • Macaroni - use other pasta shapes such as conchigle or fusilli.
  • Butter - use block margerine or other spread but keep in mind that very low fat spreads are mostly water and will not behave in the same way.

 

📖 Variations

  • Seafood - use prawns (shrimp), cod, pollack, hake or any other fish combination.
  • Luxury - use scallops, lobster or crab meat.
  • Vegetables - add cooked peas, broad beans, asparagus or green beans.

🍣 Storage

  • Refrigerator - cool, cover and refrigerate the salmon mac and cheese for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer - place in sealed bags and refrigerate for up to a month. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat - reheat at 50% power in the microwate or cover with foil and place in the oven at 180 C / 350 F / 160 FAN / Gas 4 until hot.

🍱 Prepare in Advance

  • Prepare the salmon mac and cheese up to the oven stage then cool and leave in the fridge until your ready to heat and serve.
  • Alternatively, freeze before the oven stage for up to a month.
Smoked Salmon Mac and Cheese is the perfect comfort food. So easy to make with lightly smoked salmon fillets or other salmon. It's cheesey and delicious!

Let me know what you think in the comments or you can post a picture and tag me on Twitter @chezlereve, Instagram @chezlerevefrancais, or Facebook @chezlerevefrancais

More salmon recipes

📋 Recipe

Smoked Salmon Mac and Cheese is the perfect comfort food. So easy to make with lightly smoked salmon fillets or other salmon. It's cheesey and delicious!

Salmon Mac and Cheese

Amanda
Smoked Salmon Mac and Cheese is the perfect comfort food. So easy to make with lightly smoked salmon fillets or other salmon. It's cheesey and delicious!
4.76 from 41 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, British
Servings 4
Calories 801 kcal

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • whisk
  • Large saucepan
  • box grater
  • 4 oven proof dishes or 1 large dish
  • colander

Ingredients
 
 

  • 550 ml milk
  • 320 g macaroni
  • 30 g butter
  • 30 g plain flour
  • 160 g strong cheddar grated
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder optional
  • 50 g Parmesan grated
  • 50 g fresh white breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 220 g salmon lightly smoked

Instructions
 

  • Cook the macaroni according to the pack instructions, about 10 minutes then drain.
  • Place the salmon in a shallow pan and cover with water. Bring to the boil then turn off the heat. Leave for 5 minutes then drain and flake into large chunks. 
  • Put the milk, butter and flour in a saucepan over a medium heat and whisk continuously until thickened then reduce the heat and stir in the cheese, seasoning and mustard.
  • Gently combine the pasta with the salmon and sauce and spoon into 4 greased oven proof dishes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and breadcrumbs.
  • Bake at 190 C for 15 minutes until golden.
Nutrition Facts
Salmon Mac and Cheese
Amount Per Serving (0 g)
Calories 801 Calories from Fat 288
% Daily Value*
Fat 32g49%
Saturated Fat 17g106%
Cholesterol 110mg37%
Sodium 682mg30%
Potassium 704mg20%
Carbohydrates 82g27%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 42g84%
Vitamin A 930IU19%
Calcium 638mg64%
Iron 2.8mg16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

Detailed instructions for this recipe, including step by step photographs, hints and tips, can be found in the main article.

Keyword salmon mac and cheese
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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🍲 Food Safety

  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat.
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
  • Never leave cooking food unattended.
  • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
  • Always have good ventilation when using gas.

Do you have a question or did you make the recipe? Please leave a rating as it helps other readers to discover this dish. Your name and email are required to avoid spam comments; they are never used for any purpose or shared with third parties.

However, due to spam comments, I do have to moderate each one, so don't worry if you cannot see your comment immediately. I'll publish your comments as soon as I can.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Amanda

    Thanks Susan. I hope you love it!

  2. Amanda

    Thanks Catherine. It's really good!

  3. Amanda

    Thanks Clare!

  4. Clare

    5 stars
    This looks delicious, can’t wait to try it

  5. Catherine

    5 stars
    Wow, this looks absolutely incredible! Smoked salmon and mac and cheese are literally two of my favourite foods so I'll definitely have to try this at some point!

  6. Susan @ Simply Sundays

    5 stars
    Smoked salmon is one of my favorites.... I never thought to add it to mac and cheese! Great idea! I'm adding this recipe to this weeks' menu plan. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Amanda

    Thanks Sheryl. It's great comfort food!

  8. Sheryl

    5 stars
    mmm. . . The smoked salmon adds a whole new dimension to the mac and cheese.

  9. Amanda

    Thanks Jacqui!

  10. Jacqueline Debono

    5 stars
    I love salmon with pasta and this sounds like a great tasty way to combine the two!

  11. Amanda

    Thanks Katie. You can easily make this with Chorizo or bacon too.

  12. Amanda

    Thanks Jenn. It's more a pasta dish than fish but bacon is good!

  13. Amanda

    Thanks Nicole! I think it's a great combination.

  14. Katie B

    5 stars
    This looks and sounds incredible - I'm not a big fish eater, but I'd make this for my husband!

  15. Nicole

    5 stars
    I love salmon and love Mac and cheese, so never actually thought of putting them together! I'll definitely try this recipe at home. Thanks for sharing!

  16. The Wishful Luxury Life

    5 stars
    I don't usually eat fish as you know but I think I would actually enjoy this!

    - Jenn

  17. Amanda

    Thanks Amy!

  18. Amy

    5 stars
    This looks delicious! I love pasta so much.

  19. Amanda

    Thanks Lisa - it's a great combo!

  20. Amanda

    Thanks Jagruti. We definitely need something to warm us up!

  21. Amanda

    Thanks Charlotte!

  22. Amanda

    Thanks Lauren. I appreciate that. I used to put in bacon for my fussy eater!

  24. Lauren The Helpful Hiker

    5 stars
    I'm currently looking for family friendly recipes that our fussy four year old will eat. Pasta is always a winner, so I will have to give it a go. I like dishes like this where you can tweak it to your liking.

  25. Charlotte

    5 stars
    This recipe looks delicious. I love Mac and Cheese and I love Salmon so this is the perfect combo!

  26. Jagruti Dhanecha

    5 stars
    This smoked salmon mac and cheese sounds wonderful together, a comforting and filling meal for those chilly nights!

  27. Amanda

    Thanks Tristin. It's so easy to add whatever you have!

  28. Tristin Rieken

    5 stars
    Love this recipe!! Sometimes I will make it with canned salmon or leftover filets.

  29. Amanda

    Thanks Karen.

  30. Amanda

    Thanks very much Caroline!

  31. Caroline

    5 stars
    I'm definitely a fan of eating everything in moderation, this looks tasty!

  32. Karen (Back Road Journal)

    5 stars
    Sounds like a nice way to dress up mac and cheese for a special evening meal.

  33. Amanda

    Thanks Valentina. Not eating makes me miserable!

  34. Amanda

    Thanks Tisha!

  35. Amanda

    Thanks Taylor. It's a perfect comfort dinner.

  36. Amanda

    Thanks Claudia. I have a love affair with salmon in all forms!

  37. Amanda

    Thanks so much Sabrina!

  38. Sabrina

    5 stars
    This sounds like a delicious combination of two of my favorites! Can't wait to dig in!

  39. Claudia Lamascolo

    5 stars
    I love salmon and this is gourmet to me I just love it smoked and how you prepared this !

  40. Taylor Kiser

    5 stars
    This smoked salmon mac and cheese is the ultimate in comfort food dinners! Definitely needs to happen soon for dinner!

  41. Tisha

    5 stars
    I am a big macaroni and cheese lover!! I also love salmon so this is perfect!!

  42. Valentina

    5 stars
    I feel the same way about eating in January. Moderation, not depriving myself of rich foods. 😀 This mac & cheese sounds fabulous and the salmon adds so many nutrients. I'm in!