Sausage and 3 Cheese Mac and Cheese
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this hearty Sausage and 3 Cheese Mac and Cheese recipe. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with savory flavor, this dish combines tender elbow macaroni with a rich triple-cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Add to that the bold taste of browned Italian sausage and a golden, crunchy breadcrumb topping, and you’ve got a mac and cheese that’s perfect for dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck centerpiece. Using a creamy roux base and a touch of garlic, onion powder, and smoked paprika, this oven-baked classic is irresistibly flavorful and ready in under an hour. Serve it piping hot for the ultimate pasta bake experience!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 cup bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground Italian sausage until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook the mixture for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it begins to thicken.
Reduce the heat to low and add the sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, one handful at a time, stirring until each addition is fully melted and incorporated.
Season the cheese sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, browned sausage, and cheese sauce. Mix until the macaroni and sausage are evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs with olive oil until the crumbs are lightly coated. Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6804 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 410.2 g | 526% | |
| Saturated Fat | 209.4 g | 1047% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1190 mg | 396% | |
| Sodium | 9122 mg | 397% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 470.1 g | 171% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.8 g | 74% | |
| Total Sugars | 58.2 g | ||
| Protein | 281.5 g | 563% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.5 mcg | 47% | |
| Calcium | 4470 mg | 344% | |
| Iron | 29.2 mg | 162% | |
| Potassium | 2962 mg | 63% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
