Seafood Macaroni and Cheese with Sardines

This Seafood Macaroni and Cheese with Sardines is loaded with high-quality sardines, along with creamy Jarlsberg and Parmesan cheeses, and is an easy and flavorful side dish.

This post is sponsored by King Oscar.

I’ve got a fish tale to tell you– a story with long, winding roads, adventures on foot, and backpacking through canyons.  Unlike most fish tales, which end in stories of giant, monstrous sea creatures– mine ends with tins and tins of tiny fish.

For two years in a row, the husband and I have gone on epic, multi-week National Park hiking adventures— driving thousands of miles, hiking until our feet were angry and our legs were worn out, and then we hiked some more.

When we started our adventures, I knew we’d need shelf-stable, protein-packed food, so I packed tuna.  Lots and lots of tuna.

Three weeks worth of tuna.

I didn’t make the same mistake when I packed for trip number two.

This past summer, as I loaded up on food to carry us through all of our camping and backpacking, I wandered uncertainly back into the canned fish aisle.  As I stared at the tuna, my eyes wandered over to all of the other cans of fish that I’d been neglecting.

Sardines, mackerel, kippers… these fish would, and did, rescue me from my tuna-fatigue.

After this summer’s camping trip ended, and I no longer needed to hoard cans of fish– I kept doing it anyway.

These tiny fish are delicious, fabulous for stocking pantries, and easy to use.  In this Baked Seafood Macaroni and Cheese, the sardines shine through in a blend of flavorful cheeses and pasta.

Want more sardine recipes ideas?  Read this: How to Eat Canned Sardines

Which Sardines Taste the Best?

Have you tried sardines yet?

If you haven’t, or if you have had them, but didn’t like them– you should know that not all sardines are created equal!  In fact, the term “sardine” actually refers to the way the fish are treated and packaged, and can be made up of 22 different types of fish!

What does that mean for you?

It means that different brands of sardines will taste– well, they’ll taste different from one another!  

My own sardine-loving enthusiasm was almost brought to a smack-dead-halt when I had a tin of not-so-wonderful sardines, and that’s when I realized that the brand you buy matters.  It matters a lot.

Want more canned fish tips? Check out this Ultimate Guide to Canned Fish.

Now I get my sardines from King Oscar.

King Oscar’s Wild Caught Brisling Sardines are high-quality, plus they’re all from the same type of small fish, so you’ll know what to expect.

These little fish are responsibly sourced from Norwegian waters, and are hand-packed into recyclable tins.  (Oh, plus they’re deeeeeelicious!)

Want to Try King Oscar’s seafood?  Use their store finder.

Love sardines?  Try these too: Mini Sardine Fish Cakes, Pasta con le Sarde, Fish Tikka Masala, and Fish Balls: Albondigas de Pescado.

Making Baked Seafood Macaroni and Cheese

For this Baked Seafood Macaroni and Cheese, we’re using Norwegian sardines, and I thought it would be fun to put a Nordic spin on this very cheesy dish.

So– I bought Jarlsberg, a type of Norwegian Swiss cheese that melts particularly well.

If you can’t find Jarlsberg, or just prefer to use Swiss cheese– that will work too!  You’ll also need a wedge of Parmesan cheese.

To make your baked mac and cheese, start cooking the pasta in a pot of boiling water.  While it cooks, you’re going to make the cheese sauce.

Start by melting butter, and then add a little flour.  Stir it together until the flour has absorbed all the butter, and then start whisking in cream.  Once the sauce is smooth, without any lumps, add the milk and whisk some more.

Finally, add in your freshly grated cheese, and continue to whisk until everything is melted and smooth.

Next, add a little Old Bay seasoning and some salt to the sauce.  Taste it as you season, and make sure you like the flavor.

If it seems bland, add a little more salt.  If you want more flavor, add a little more Old Bay.

When the pasta is finished cooking, drain it, and then scoop your pasta into a small casserole dish.  Take the sardines out of the tin, and discard the oil.

Flake them apart with a fork, and scatter them over the pasta.  Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta, and stir to blend everything together.

Bake your seafood mac and cheese for about 20 minutes, or until it’s golden and bubbly.

If you’re in a hurry, or just prefer your mac and cheese extra creamy, skip the baking, and set the dish under the broiler instead.  Watch it carefully so that it doesn’t burn, and let it broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the top begins to turn golden.

Serve your sardine macaroni and cheese while it’s still warm, either as a side dish or on its own, and enjoy!

Quick Tip:  Make sure you’re using Freshly Grated Cheese, because pre-grated cheeses include stabilizers that will keep the cheese from melting as easily.

Want something LIGHT and GREEN to serve with this mac?  Try these:

• Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apple Cider Vinegar
• Green Bean Salad with Almonds
• Braised Kale with Apple Cider Vinegar