Sausage Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• Ground Sausage – Italian sausage adds the most flavor, but you can use mild, hot, or even ground turkey depending on what you have or what’s on sale.
• Onion – These add extra flavor, but regular diced tomatoes or even tomato sauce will work just fine.
• Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes – These add extra flavor, but regular diced tomatoes or even tomato sauce will work just fine.
• Half and Half – This makes the dish extra creamy, but you can substitute with milk and a little butter to save money.
• Macaroni Pasta – Elbow macaroni works best, but any short pasta like shells or rotini can be used.
• Italian Seasoning – A simple blend that adds great flavor. You can substitute with garlic powder and dried herbs you already have
• Cheddar Cheese – Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor. For a smoother melt and better value, shred your own cheese from a block.

How to Make Sausage Mac and Cheese

Step 1 – Brown the Sausage – Place the sausage and the diced onion in a large skillet or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Break up the meat and cook until the sausage is browned. Drain off any excess grease.

Step 2 – Stir in the additional Ingredients – Then stir in the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, water and half and half.

Step 3 – Add Macaroni – Then stir in the elbow macaroni. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to a low simmer.

Step 4 – Continue Cooking – Cook and stirring constantly for 14-18 minutes until the pasta is tender.

Step 5 – Remove pan from heat – Uncover and then remove the pan from the heat.

Step 6 – Add the cheese – Stirring in the cheddar cheese and allow the heat from the meal to melt the cheese. Make sure to stir occasionally so the macaroni is covered with cheese. Serve while warm and enjoy.

Tips for Success

• Brown the sausage well – Let it get slightly crispy for the best flavor before adding other ingredients.
• Stir frequently while simmering – This helps prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Keep an eye on the liquid – If it cooks off too quickly, add a splash of water or milk so the pasta finishes cooking properly.
• Don’t overcook the pasta – Remove from heat as soon as it’s tender to avoid a mushy texture.
• Add cheese off the heat – This keeps the sauce smooth and prevents it from getting grainy.
• Taste before serving – Sausage can vary in salt and spice, so adjust seasoning at the end if needed.

Variations & Substitutions

• Change the protein – Use ground beef, turkey, or a mix of meats depending on what you have on hand.
• Make it spicy – Use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes.
• Add vegetables – Stir in bell peppers, spinach, or broccoli to add nutrition and stretch the meal.
• Swap the pasta – Use shells, rotini, or any short pasta in your pantry.
• Try different cheeses – Mix in mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a different flavor.
• Make it baked – Transfer to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and broil for a few minutes until bubbly.
• Lighten it up – Use turkey sausage and milk instead of half and half.

Serving Recommendations

Storage & Freezer Instructions

• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container up to 3–4 days
• Reheat: Warm on the stove or microwave with a splash of milk to keep it creamy
• Freeze: Store in a freezer-safe container up to 2 months
• Thaw & Reheat: Thaw overnight if possible, then reheat with added liquid and stir well