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Hearty & Easy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese: The Ultimate Weeknight Comfort Food

Searching for a delightful, homemade meal that combines the irresistible creaminess of pasta with robust flavors, succulent smoked sausage, and even a clever hint of vegetables? Look no further! This Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese recipe is precisely what you need to share with your loved ones and friends. It’s a comforting, satisfying dish that promises to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Whether you’re planning a quick lunch or a fulfilling dinner, this recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when time is of the essence but quality is paramount. Its ultimate comfort food status also makes it an ideal pasta dish to bring to a casual BBQ or potluck, guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. After all, who can resist the allure of smoky sausage enveloped in a rich, creamy mac and cheese?

If you appreciate easy meals made with pork and crave that distinctive smoky flavor, you are going to absolutely adore this straightforward smoked sausage mac and cheese recipe. It brings together simple ingredients to create a symphony of tastes that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Essential Ingredients for Your Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese

Crafting this incredible dish requires only a handful of readily available ingredients. The beauty lies in their simplicity and how they come together to create such a flavorful meal. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese Ingredients

Oil: A tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil will work perfectly to sauté the sausage. It helps create that lovely golden-brown crust.
Meat: The star of our dish! Grab a 14 oz package of pre-cooked smoked sausage. Varieties like kielbasa or Andouille are excellent choices due to their rich flavor and firm texture. Slice it into convenient bite-sized pieces, typically half-moons for easy eating.
Pasta: A 7 oz box of your favorite macaroni and cheese. Don’t forget to have the milk and butter ready as per the package instructions – these are crucial for achieving that signature creamy texture.
Vegetable: To add a touch of freshness and nutrition, a 12 oz bag of frozen broccoli florets is ideal. It cooks quickly and blends seamlessly with the other ingredients, adding vibrant color and beneficial nutrients.
Seasonings: A blend of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper will elevate the flavors of both the sausage and the broccoli, ensuring every bite is perfectly seasoned.

This carefully selected list ensures a balanced and delicious meal with minimal fuss, making it perfect for novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike.

Prepping Smoked Sausage for Mac and Cheese

How to Prepare Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making this hearty dish is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a truly satisfying meal:

Step 1: Prepare the Sausage

Begin by taking your smoked sausage and slicing it into uniform half-moon pieces. This shape is perfect for sautéing and ensures even cooking, while also being easy to eat with the macaroni.

Step 2: Sauté the Sausage

Place a large skillet on your stove over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering and hot, add the sliced sausage. Brown the sausage on each side for approximately 4 minutes. This step is crucial for developing a rich, caramelized flavor and a pleasant texture, enhancing the overall smokiness of the dish.

Step 3: Add Broccoli and Seasonings

After the sausage has achieved a beautiful golden brown color, stir in the frozen broccoli florets along with your measured seasonings: onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything well to ensure the broccoli and sausage are evenly coated. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The goal here is for the broccoli to become tender-crisp, absorbing all those delicious flavors from the sausage and spices.

Step 4: Prepare the Macaroni and Cheese

While the sausage and broccoli are cooking, prepare a large pot of water for the macaroni. Cook the macaroni and cheese according to the package directions, aiming for an al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta, then stir in the butter and milk as instructed on the mac and cheese box. Mix thoroughly until the cheese sauce is smooth and creamy, coating every piece of macaroni.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Finally, gently stir the prepared macaroni and cheese into the skillet with the cooked sausage and broccoli. Mix until all ingredients are well combined and heated through. Serve immediately, savoring the harmonious blend of creamy pasta, smoky sausage, and tender broccoli. This is a complete meal in one pan, ready to delight your taste buds!

Storing Leftover Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese

This delicious smoked sausage mac and cheese is so good, you might not have many leftovers! However, if you do find yourself with extra, it reheats beautifully for another quick and tasty meal. Allow the pasta dish to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This makes for a fantastic grab-and-go lunch or a hassle-free dinner on a subsequent day.

Tips and Tricks for Elevating Your Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese

While this recipe is fantastic as is, there are numerous ways to customize and enhance it. Here are some tips and tricks to make this dish uniquely yours and even more delicious!

Sausage and Mac and Cheese, But Make It Fancy!

This dish is inherently delicious, but if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous or want to impress, here are some toppings to level it up:

Extra Shredded Cheese: A sprinkle of your favorite shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend) on top before serving adds an extra layer of gooey goodness.
Fresh Green Onions: Chopped green onions provide a fresh, mild oniony bite and a beautiful pop of color that contrasts wonderfully with the richness of the mac and cheese.
Sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese: A dusting of grated Parmesan offers a salty, umami kick that complements the smoky sausage and creamy pasta.
Crispy Bread Crumbs: For an irresistible textural contrast, toast some panko bread crumbs in a separate pan with a bit of butter until golden, then sprinkle over the finished dish. This adds a delightful crunch.

Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese with Toppings

Choosing Your Sausage: A World of Flavor!

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can truly make it your own by selecting a sausage that suits your taste preferences or what you have on hand. Consider these delicious alternatives:

Polish Sausage (Kielbasa): Known for its garlicky, smoky flavor, kielbasa is a classic choice that pairs perfectly with mac and cheese.
Beef Sausage: Offers a richer, more robust flavor profile compared to pork, making for a heartier dish.
Chicken Sausage: A lighter alternative that still delivers great flavor, often seasoned with herbs or spices that can complement the dish.
Andouille Sausage: If you enjoy a bit of spice, Andouille will add a delightful kick and depth of flavor.
Vegan/Vegetarian Sausage: For plant-based eaters, there are many excellent smoked or savory vegan sausages available that can be used.

Each type will yield an amazing result, so don’t hesitate to experiment! If you’re cooking for children who might be pickier about sausage, you can even swap it out for some sliced hot dogs to make it extra kid-friendly.

Transforming it into a Baked Casserole:

If you desire to transform this stovetop delight into a comforting baked casserole, the process is simple and adds an extra layer of texture and warmth. After you have thoroughly mixed the smoked sausage and mac and cheese, transfer the entire mixture into a casserole dish. For that irresistible golden-brown crust, generously top it with a bit more shredded cheese of your choice (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend work well) and a sprinkling of panko bread crumbs for ultimate crispiness.

Then, place the casserole dish into a preheated oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, and the bread crumbs are golden brown. This oven-baked version adds an extra dimension of comfort and is perfect for feeding a larger family or for meal prepping.

Baked Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese Casserole

Explore More Easy Casserole Dishes:

If you loved the simplicity and hearty nature of this smoked sausage mac and cheese, you might also enjoy these other easy and delicious casserole recipes:

Sausage Biscuit Casserole: A fantastic breakfast or brunch option.
Enchilada Meatball Casserole: A flavorful twist on classic comfort food.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole: All the taste of stuffed peppers without the fuss.
Mediterranean Chicken Bake: A lighter, vibrant option with healthy ingredients.

5 from 1 vote

Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese (Dinner)

By:

Julia Pacheco

Enjoy super flavorful smoked sausage sauteed perfectly and mixed with creamy mac and cheese and broccoli for a filling and easy dinner recipe.

Prep:

5
minutes

Cook:

25
minutes

Total:

30
minutes

Servings:

4
servings

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Ingredients

▢

1
tbsp
olive oil
▢

14
oz
pack smoked sausage
▢

7
oz
box macaroni and cheese ,
(plus the milk and butter in the instructions on the back of the box)
▢

12
oz
bag frozen broccoli
▢

1
tsp
onion powder
▢

1
tsp
garlic powder
▢

1
tsp
paprika
▢

1
tsp
salt
▢

1
tsp
black pepper

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Instructions

Slice the sausage into half moons.
To a large pan on the stove over medium high heat add in the olive oil once hot add in the sausage and brown on each side for 4 minutes.
Once the sausage is golden brown stir in the broccoli and seasonings cover with a lid and let cook for 10-12 minutes stirring occasionally until the broccoli is tender.
Cook the macaroni and cheese according to the package instructions. Stir in the butter and milk.
Stir the macaroni and cheese into the sausage and broccoli. Serve.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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