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!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

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

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 8

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, browned sausage, and cheese sauce. Mix until the macaroni and sausage are evenly coated.

Step 9

Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.

Step 10

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.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let the mac and cheese sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2459.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6804.5

Total Fat 410.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 209.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g
Cholesterol 1189.5mg	0%
Sodium 9121.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 470.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.8g	0%
Total Sugars 58.2g
Protein 281.5g	0%

Vitamin D 379.0IU	0%
Calcium 4469.8mg	0%
Iron 29.2mg	0%
Potassium 2962.4mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.1%

Protein: 16.8%

Carbs: 28.1%