Description
Sausage Mac and Cheese is a rich and comforting dish combining tender elbow pasta with flavorful Italian sausage and a creamy, sharp white cheddar cheese sauce, making it a perfect hearty meal for the whole family.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sausage
- 1 pound dry elbow pasta
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage (mild, sweet or hot depending on your preference)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ cup flour
- 3 ½ cups milk
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- 4 cups freshly grated sharp white cheddar cheese (do not use pre-grated cheese)
- Salt to taste
Garnish
- Freshly parsley or chives (chopped for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Sausage: While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pot over medium heat and add the bulk Italian sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage into small pieces. Cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a plate or bowl and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pot used for sausage, add butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Make the Roux and Sauce: Stir in the flour with the onions and garlic and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add black pepper, smoked paprika, and ground mustard. Continue cooking and stirring over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens to a creamy soup-like consistency.
- Add Cheese: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the freshly grated sharp white cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and additional pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sausage: Return the cooked pasta and sausage to the cheese sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the cheesy sauce and the sausage is evenly distributed.
- Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives. Serve the sausage mac and cheese hot for a delicious and hearty meal.
Notes
- This dish is super creamy and decadently cheesy, perfect for satisfying comfort food cravings.
- Use freshly grated cheese for best melting and flavor; pre-grated cheese may result in a less smooth sauce.
- Pair with your favorite vegetable side or a simple green salad for a well-rounded meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 1038 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1135 mg
- Fat: 64 g
- Saturated Fat: 29 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 72 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
