I love creamy pasta recipes! Chorizo gnocchi takes cheesy, smokey flavours to the next level! There are some days when only cheesy, creamy comfort food is going to work. A bit of an indulgence, perhaps, but always satisfying and good for the soul. These are the days I reach for one of my trusty macaroni and cheese recipes. Although I would struggle to pick a favourite, this indulgent dish made with two varieties of legendary cheese might be it! Mac and cheese is a dish I learned to make years ago. My husband grew up on the boxed variety so I knew I had to introduce him to the good stuff.
So I tried to make my homemade version absolutely irresistible so he’d never want to turn to that awful macaroni in acid orange powder.The trick? Picking the perfect cheese and adding a little extra like smoky kielbasa rounds.
Choosing cheese
This recipe is extremely simple and quite quick. You can experiment with any cheese you love. I usually start with white cheddar (orange Cheddar is hard to find where I live) because of how well it melts. In this case I’ve also added Gruyere, which created an absolutely lovely combination. It blends the extreme creaminess of Cheddar with the sharp taste of Gruyere to give you the best of both.
Delicious add-ons
Now let’s talk Polish kielbasa (or Ukrainian kovbasa or Russian kolbasa). Same but different and all over delicious. The word means ‘sausage’ and it’s a staple in Eastern European cuisine. Nowadays any big supermarket carry these smoky sausage links. But if you truly want to experience, its authentic deliciousness it’s best to hunt down an Eastern European shop and buy your kielbasa there.
When you first mix your sliced kielbasa into the saucy pasta you will not get me overly enthusiastic. But pop the dish into the hot oven because that’s where the magic begins. Within 5 minutes the smoky aroma of the sausage will start wafting through your house.
Favourite mac and cheese recipes
Brie and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Layered Italian Baked Mac and Cheese Truffle Mac and Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese with Breadcrumb Topping
