Description
A rich and creamy sausage mac and cheese recipe featuring tender elbow pasta, savory Italian sausage, and a luscious sharp white cheddar cheese sauce. Perfectly seasoned with smoked paprika and ground mustard, this comforting dish is garnished with fresh parsley or chives for a vibrant finish.
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
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Sausage: While pasta cooks, heat a large pot over medium heat and cook the bulk Italian sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break it into small pieces. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside on a plate or bowl.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make Roux and Sauce: Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually add the milk while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Mix in black pepper, smoked paprika, and ground mustard. Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens to a creamy soup-like consistency, about 10 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the freshly grated sharp white cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and additional pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta and sausage back into the cheese sauce. Stir well until fully combined. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives and serve hot.
Notes
- This sausage mac and cheese is luxuriously creamy and perfect for a comforting dinner.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the best melting texture and flavor.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a simple green salad to balance the richness.
- Adjust seasoning with smoked paprika or ground mustard to taste for a customized flavor profile.
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
