Hot Italian Sausage Mac N Cheese

Easter brunch bread boat |

This isn't your average mac and cheese. This is a hearty, spicy, and deeply flavorful dish that elevates comfort food to a whole new level. It combines the creamy, cheesy goodness of macaroni and cheese with the bold, savory kick of hot Italian pork sausage, creating a dish that's perfect for a satisfying dinner or a potluck showstopper.

SERVINGS
4
PREP TIME
5 min
COOK TIME
20 min

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb loose Coleman Hot Italian Sausage
Crispy Onions
  • 1 sweet onion, sliced thin
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • Pinch salt and pepper
Mac n Cheese
  • 1 lb large elbow cooked, cooked Al dente per package instructions
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 c. heavy cream
  • 3 c. whole milk
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 7 c. shredded cheese: 3 c. Extra sharp cheddar, 2 c. Colby jack , 2 c. Gouda (or Monterrey jack)— **freshly shred the cheese from blocks, pre-shredded cheese just doesn’t melt the same way!
  • 2 scallions, sliced thinly (if desired)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cook sausage—In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, cook sausage and use a spatula to crumble the meat as it cooks. Cook until browned and getting little crispy. Drain on paper towels and set aside.
  2. Make onions— Add sliced onions, cornstarch, salt and pepper to a small bowl and stir to coat well. Then add canola oil to a medium sauté pan (enough to cover the bottom of it about 1/2”). Bring to medium high heat and went ready add in onions in batches. When golden brown remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain (ripples in oil will be seen and bubbles form around the bottom wooden spoon when it is placed into the pan when ready). Set aside.
  3. Make Mac n cheese— Cook pasta al dente, per package. Set aside.
  4. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add in flour and whisk until fully mixed. When mixture is slightly bubbling, slowly pour in milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously. Bring to simmer, while whisking until the sauce has slightly thickened.
  5. Add in salt and cheeses, whisk until all the cheese is incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
  6. Add back the pasta and stir to mix.
  7. Pour into a large bowl, or individual bowls, top with crumbled sausage, crispy onions, and scallions if desired.

Find this recipe at:

https://colemannatural.com/kitchen/hot-italian-sausage-mac-n-cheese/