Creamy Beef Salami Macaroni
Cheese

By CookFrames
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Indulge in a quick and comforting macaroni and cheese that combines crispy beef salami with a rich and velvety cheddar sauce for an effortless weeknight dinner.

↓ The ingredients ↓ The steps

While traditional macaroni and cheese relies on a carefully whisked roux, this modern approach embraces convenience without sacrificing flavor. The addition of crisped beef salami introduces a savory and smoky depth that cuts through the richness of the cheese to create a perfectly balanced bowl of comfort.

A warm skillet of creamy macaroni and cheese topped with crispy beef salami and garnished with dried parsley.
A warm skillet of creamy macaroni and cheese topped with crispy beef salami and garnished with dried parsley.
Prep5 mins
Cook15 mins
Total20 mins
Yield3–4 servings
DifficultyEasy
Calories650 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1Measure the macaroni
    A hand pouring dry macaroni from a green plastic bag into a small wooden bowl resting on a silver digital kitchen scale.

    Begin by measuring out the dry elbow macaroni. Use a digital scale to ensure you have the correct portion for the recipe before boiling. This step helps in maintaining the perfect sauce-to-pasta ratio for a gooey final result.

    Tip: Starting with a precise measurement prevents ending up with too much pasta and not enough cheese sauce.
  2. 2Boil the macaroni
    Elbow macaroni being poured from a bowl into a stainless steel pot of bubbling water on a stove.

    Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a splash of oil and a pinch of salt. Carefully pour the weighed elbow macaroni into the boiling water. Let it cook for approximately 10 minutes until it reaches a tender texture, ensuring the oil helps keep the pasta pieces separated.

    Tip: Starting the macaroni in boiling water with salt and oil ensures even cooking and prevents the pieces from sticking together in the pot.
  3. 3Slice the beef salami
    A persons hands using a large metal cleaver to slice a rectangular block of marbled beef salami on a white plastic cutting board.

    Place a block of beef salami on a clean cutting board. Using a sharp cleaver, carefully slice the meat into small and uniform cubes. These bite sized pieces will cook quickly and distribute evenly throughout the macaroni for consistent flavor in every mouthful.

    Tip: If you prefer a different protein you can easily substitute the beef salami with diced hot dogs or crispy chicken bacon.
  4. 4Fry the salami
    Slices of pink salami falling from a white cutting board into a dark, speckled frying pan.

    Add the sliced beef salami pieces to a hot frying pan with a drizzle of oil. Sauté the meat until it becomes fragrant and develops a slightly crispy texture, which adds a savory depth to the macaroni.

    Tip: You can substitute the beef salami with hot dogs or chicken bacon depending on your preference.
  5. 5Add the cheese sauce
    A hand holding a blue and yellow can of Prego Mac & Cheese sauce over a frying pan containing fried salami pieces.

    Pour a can of Prego cheese pasta sauce directly into the pan over the fried salami. This rich and creamy sauce provides a quick and flavorful base for the dish without needing to make a roux from scratch.

    Tip: Stir the sauce immediately to incorporate the rendered fat from the salami for extra flavor.
  6. 6Combine macaroni and cheese sauce
    A black non-stick pan filled with elbow macaroni, diced beef salami, and a thick, vibrant yellow cheese sauce being stirred with a white silicone spatula.

    Transfer the cooked and drained elbow macaroni into the frying pan with the prepared cheese and salami sauce. Use a spatula to stir the mixture thoroughly, ensuring every piece of pasta is generously coated in the rich, creamy sauce and the salami is well-distributed.

    Tip: Make sure the macaroni is well-drained before adding it to the pan so the excess water doesnt thin out the creamy consistency of the cheese sauce.
  7. 7Garnish with parsley
    Dried green parsley flakes being shaken from a green spice container onto a pan full of macaroni and cheese.

    Once the macaroni is mixed with the cheese sauce, sprinkle a generous amount of dried parsley flakes over the top. The parsley adds a touch of color and a light herbal aroma that balances the richness of the cheese.

    Tip: Sprinkle the herbs from a height to ensure even coverage across the entire pan.
  8. 8Add extra cheese
    Two yellow square cheese slices and shredded cheese sitting on top of a pan of macaroni and cheese.

    For an extra indulgent flavor, place two slices of processed cheese and a handful of shredded cheese on top of the hot macaroni. This combination ensures a variety of textures and a signature cheese pull.

    Tip: Add the cheese while the heat is still low to allow it to melt slowly without burning the bottom of the pasta.
  9. 9Melt the final cheese
    Macaroni and salami and cheese slices and shredded cheese in a black pan being stirred with a red silicone spatula.

    Sprinkle shredded cheese and lay cheese slices over the warm macaroni mixture in the pan. Stir everything together gently until the cheese is completely melted and evenly combined to develop a rich and stretchy texture.

    Tip: Keep the heat low or turn it off entirely during this step because the residual heat from the pasta and pan is enough to melt the cheese without causing it to split.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
3–4 days
Store in an airtight container once completely cooled.
Reheating
2–5 min
Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk to restore the sauces creamy consistency. Microwave in short bursts, stirring in between.

Burn It Off

Running
~1 hour at a vigorous pace (~10 kmh).
Hyrox
~65 minutes of high-intensity functional training.
Pickleball
~1 hour 30 minutes of active competitive play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Always melt your final cheese layers over very low heat or off the heat entirely. The residual warmth of the pasta is usually enough to melt the cheese smoothly.
Yes! While elbow macaroni is traditional, any short pasta with nooks and crannies, such as shells, cavatappi, or penne, will hold the thick cheese sauce perfectly.
Gummy pasta is usually overcooked. Boil the macaroni just until tender (about 10 minutes), as it will continue to soften slightly when mixed with the hot cheese sauce.
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