If I'm looking for a quick but luxurious dinner, I make this Smoked Salmon Mac and Cheese from items on hand in the pantry and freezer. This is an easy "cheat" from a box!

Step 1: Ingredients for a Special Dinner for Two

You will need:

a box of Kraft Dinner or other quick cooking macaroni and cheese
1/3 cup milk
4 Tbsp butter, plus more to grease the pan
1 tsp dijon mustard
100 grams smoked salmon pieces (about 3/4 cup)
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup panko or dry bread crumbs
1/4 tsp paprika

Step 2: Prepare Salmon and Topping

Rip or cut the smoked salmon into small pieces
Grate 1 cup parmesan cheese - reserve 1/2 cup for later
Melt 2 Tbsp of the butter in the microwave, and mix in 1/2 cup of the grated cheese, 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs and 1/4 tsp paprika to make the casserole topping

TIP - if you don't have bread crumbs on hand, use a rolling pin or can to crush crackers in a plastic bag to make fine crumbs. Be careful not to use crackers that are too salty.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta and Add Ingredients

Cook the pasta for 1 minute less than what the package directs. Drain water, and return pasta to pot over low heat.

Add 2 Tbsp butter, 1 tsp dijon mustard, 1/3 cup milk (per package directions) and the powdered cheese mixture from the package and stir together.

Then stir in the remaining 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese and the pieces of smoked salmon. Add pepper if desired.

Step 4: Add Topping and Bake

Pour mixture into a greased oven proof dish
Spread the bread crumb/cheese topping mixture evenly on top
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. If you have a convection oven, bake it at 325 on convection for 30 minutes.