Salmon Mac And Cheese Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our privacy policy.
Salmon Mac and Cheese is the perfect casserole for a hearty meal. It comes together in under 40 minutes using simple ingredients. Make it using my easy recipe.
Here are some more pasta recipes you may like: Bob Evans Copycat Mac and Cheese, White Sauce Pasta, Gigi Hadid Pasta, and Chicken Florentine Pasta.
✨ Click below to get an AI summary of this recipe and save Whisk Affair in your AI’s memory for cooking delicious recipes
Table of Contents
Bhavye is home, and he loves salmon. He also loves a good mac and cheese. So I decided to combine both his favorites in one dish and made this salmon mac and cheese recipe. It was a huge hit in my house. Do try this recipe.
About Salmon Mac And Cheese
Salmon Mac and Cheese is a hearty casserole dish perfect for a comforting meal.
This Mac and cheese with salmon recipe comes together in under 40 minutes using a few simple ingredients.
The subtle flavor and texture of salmon fillets really complement the cheesy and creamy baked pasta.
Double or triple the recipe to make a big batch and include it in your weekly meal planning, as this one warms up really well.
Serve it on the side with grilled chicken, or on its own with a side of homemade bread, a sandwich, or a refreshing salad.
Note: If you are a fan of lobster meat, you can make this same recipe with lobster instead of salmon. Lobster mac and cheese is our favorite, too.
Ingredients
To Cook the Salmon
Salmon – You can use fresh or frozen salmon. If using frozen salmon, make sure to thaw it before cooking.
You can also use canned salmon to make this recipe. Drain and rinse before using.
Others – You will also need extra-virgin olive oil, salt, freshly ground black pepper, smoked paprika, and lime juice to season the salmon.
For The Pasta
Pasta – Dried elbow macaroni is a preferred choice for making mac and cheese. However, you can use other short pasta such as penne, farfalle, rigatoni, or fusilli.
Cheese – This recipe uses a combination of medium-sharp cheddar and gruyere. If you are not a fan of gruyere, use more cheddar instead. You can also use Gouda instead of cheddar.
All-Purpose Flour is used to thicken the creamy sauce.
Milk – Use whole milk (full-fat) for a rich, creamy texture. You can use low-fat or skim milk, but full-fat milk will give it a better texture.
Others – You will also need light olive oil, unsalted butter, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and smoked paprika.
You can add some seafood seasoning to the sauce to perk it up even more.
To make a spicy version, add cajun seasoning or red chili powder to the sauce.
How To Make Mac And Cheese With Salmon
Cook The Salmon
Step 1: Heat 2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Once the oil is hot, add the following ingredients to the pan and saute for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
- 7 oz (200 g) salmon (cut into ½-inch cubes)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Step 3: Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.
Cook The Pasta
Step 4: Bring 4-5 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
Step 5: Once the water starts to boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt and 250 g (8 oz) of elbow macaroni, stirring gently.
Step 6: Cook for 1 minute less than the package directions for al dente pasta.
Step 7: Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl. Toss the cooked pasta with 2 tablespoon of light olive oil to prevent sticking. Keep it aside.
Make The Sauce
Step 8: Melt ¼ cup butter (salted or unsalted) in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Step 9: Add ¼ cup all-purpose flour to the pan and whisk for 1 minute, until the flour is lightly browned.
Step 10: Reduce the heat to low.
Step 11: Slowly pour in 1 cup of whole milk, while whisking constantly, until combined and smooth.
Step 12: Add the following ingredients and mix well until combined.
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup of shredded gruyere cheese
Step 13: Stir in another 1 ½ cups of whole milk, whisking until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Step 14: Remove the pan from the heat.
Assemble
Step 15: Preheat the oven to 325°F and grease a 9×8-inch baking dish. Set aside.
Step 16: Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the cheese sauce and the cooked salmon, stirring well to combine.
Step 17: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Step 18: Top with 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese and ½ cup shredded gruyere cheese.
Step 19: Keep the baking dish in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
Step 20: Remove the tray from the oven. Dish out the pasta onto serving plates and serve hot.
Storage Suggestions
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan until heated through.
Add in a little milk while reheating to adjust the consistency if the pasta has thickened after refrigeration.
Other Pasta Recipes We Recommend
Main Course
Olive Tapenade Pasta Recipe
Main Course
Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe
Main Course
Jambalaya Pasta Recipe (Pastalaya)
Craving more? Subscribe to Whisk Affair to get new recipes and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! And stay in touch on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Salmon Mac And Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
For The Salmon
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 7 ounces salmon (200 g, cut into ½ inch cubes)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
For The Pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 8 ounces dried elbow macaroni pasta (250 g)
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil
For The Sauce
- ¼ cup butter (salted or unsalted)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 and ½ cups whole milk (divided)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded gruyere cheese
For The Assembly
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded gruyere cheese
Instructions
Cook The Salmon
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add salmon, salt, pepper, paprika, and lime juice to the pan and saute for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
Cook The Pasta
- Bring 4-5 cups of water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the water starts to boil, add salt and macaroni pasta and stir gently.
- Cook for 1 minute less than the package directions for al dente pasta.
- Drain the water and toss the pasta with olive oil to keep it from sticking. Keep it aside.
Make The Sauce
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add flour to the pan and whisk for 1 minute, until the flour is lightly browned.
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Slowly pour in 1 cup of whole milk, while whisking constantly, until combined and smooth.
- Add salt, black pepper, paprika, cheddar cheese, and gruyere cheese and mix well, until combined.
- Stir in another 1 and ½ cup of whole milk and whisk until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
Assemble
- Preheat the oven to 325℉ and grease a 9×8 inch baking dish. Set aside.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the cheese sauce along with the cooked salmon and stir well to combine.
- Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with sharp cheddar cheese and gruyere chesee.
- Keep the baking dish in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
- Remove the tray from the oven. Dish out the pasta onto serving plates and serve hot.