Sausage Mac and Cheese
Super creamy and decadently cheesy, this sausage mac and cheese is a dinner everyone will love. Serve with your favorite vegetable or a simple salad for an easy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry elbow pasta
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage (mild, sweet or hot depending on your preference)
- 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
- Freshly parsley or chives (chopped for garnish)
Directions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
- 2
While the pasta is cooking, cook the sausage over medium heat in a large pot. Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage into small pieces. Once the sausage is browned and cooked through, transfer to a plate or bowl and set aside.
- 3
Add the butter and olive oil to the same pot over medium heat. Add the onions to the pot and cook until soft, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- 4
Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then add the milk. Stir to combine the mixture, then add the pepper, smoked paprika and dry mustard.
- 5
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes or so. It should be the consistency of a creamy soup. Stir in the cheese until melted. Add salt and more pepper to taste.
- 6
Drain the pasta once cooked and add it along with the cooked sausage to the cheese sauce. Stir until well combined.
- 7
Remove from heat, garnish with parsley or chives and serve hot.