There are some days when you just need comfort food, but standing over a hot stove or having the oven running for an hour is the last thing you feel like doing.
That was exactly the case for me. Adelaide was sweltering, but I still wanted something warm, comforting and satisfying for dinner. I had a container of cooked smoked cheese kranskis in the fridge that needed using, so instead of making my usual tray bake or pasta bake, I decided to keep things simple.
The result? This creamy Smoked Cheese Kranski Mac & Cheese.
It’s everything you want from comfort food—creamy pasta, smokey sausage, buttery sauce and just enough cheese to coat everything without feeling too heavy. Best of all, it’s ready in around 20 minutes and only uses one pot, making it perfect for busy weeknights or those hot summer evenings when you don’t want to spend ages cooking.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in around 20 minutes.
- Uses simple pantry ingredients.
- Perfect for using up cooked smoked cheese kranskis.
- Creamy without making a heavy cheese sauce.
- Family-friendly and toddler-approved.
Ingredients
- 300g macaroni (or your favourite short pasta)
- 2–3 cooked smoked cheese kranskis, sliced into rounds
- 30g butter
- ¼ cup milk or pouring cream
- 1 cup grated tasty cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon or wholegrain mustard (optional)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced (optional, for serving)
Method
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to the packet instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta, reserving a small splash of the cooking water if needed.
- Return the saucepan to the stove over medium heat and melt the butter.
- Add the sliced smoked cheese kranskis and gently warm them for 2–3 minutes. They are already cooked, so you’re simply heating them through rather than browning them.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Add the cooked pasta back to the pot along with the milk or cream, grated cheese and mustard, if using.
- Stir until the cheese has melted and coated the pasta. If the sauce is a little thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water or a little extra milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.
- Season with salt and plenty of freshly cracked black pepper.
- Sprinkle over sliced spring onions before serving, if desired.
Tips
- Add a cup of frozen peas during the last minute of cooking the pasta for extra vegetables.
- Stir through baby spinach after removing the pot from the heat until it wilts.
- Swap the macaroni for shells, spirals or penne—whatever you have in the pantry.
- Love a little heat? A pinch of smoked paprika or chilli flakes works beautifully with the smoky kranskis.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove with a splash of milk to bring the sauce back to life.
Final Thoughts
This recipe was born from one of those “what can I make with what’s already in the fridge?” moments, and I have a feeling it’ll become a regular in our house. Sometimes the simplest meals are the ones everyone asks for again.
If you give this Creamy Smoked Cheese Kranski Mac & Cheese a try, I’d love to hear what you think. Leave a comment below and let me know if you added your own twist!