Macaroni and Cheese With Sausage
This creamy macaroni and cheese is baked with browned sausage, bell peppers, grape tomatoes, and a variety of seasonings.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 6 persons
Ingredients
- 8ounces macaroni or ditalini
- 1tablespoon olive oil
- 1pound bulk pork sausage, spicy or Italian style
- 1sweet bell pepper, chopped, green or combination of colors
- 1medium onion, chopped
- 1teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning blend
- Dash red pepper flakes, optional
- ¼teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1clove garlic, minced
- 2tablespoons flour
- 2cups whole milk
- 2cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1cup (4 ounces) American cheese, cut in cubes or shredded
- Salt, to taste
- 8ounces grape tomatoes, halved or quartered lengthwise
- ½cup fine soft bread crumbs
- 1tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients.Step 2
Cook the macaroni in boiling salted water following package directions. Drain and then set aside.Step 3
Heat the oven to 350 F.Step 4
Grease a 2 1/2- to 3-quart casserole.Step 5
Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or sauté pan over medium heat. Crumble the sausage and add it to the pan along with the bell pepper and onion; cook, stirring and breaking up sausage, until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Spoon off any excess grease and add the seasoning, pepper flakes, black pepper, and garlic.Step 6
Add the flour to the sausage mixture and cook for about 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in the milk. Continue cooking until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in the cheeses and add salt, to taste.Step 7
Fold the macaroni and tomatoes into the sausage and sauce mixture. Spoon into the prepared casserole.Step 8
Combine the breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole.Step 9
Bake the for 25 minutes.Step 10
Increase heat to 400 F and bake for 5 to 10 minutes longer, until crumb topping is lightly browned.