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Crispy Smoked Sausage Baked Mac and Cheese Casserole

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A comforting baked mac and cheese casserole featuring smoky sausage, creamy cheese sauce, and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces elbow macaroni (about 340 grams)
  • 14 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into bite-sized rounds (recommend kielbasa or Andouille)
  • 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 340 grams)
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 110 grams)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 60 grams)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30 grams)
  • 3 cups whole milk (720 ml), warmed
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (about 100 grams)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 25 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (about 30 grams) for topping
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced smoked sausage and sauté until browned and slightly crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly.
  5. Gradually whisk in warmed whole milk, a little at a time, until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in shredded sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese until melted and smooth. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, and browned smoked sausage. Stir gently to coat evenly.
  8. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and melted butter.
  9. Pour the mac and cheese mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and edges are bubbling. Tent with foil if topping browns too quickly.
  11. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For extra crispy sausage edges, brown the sausage a few minutes longer before mixing. Warm milk before adding to avoid lumps in sauce. Panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan and butter create the best crispy topping. Let casserole rest after baking to set. Gluten-free and dairy-free substitutions are possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked mac and cheese, smoked sausage, comfort food, casserole, crispy topping, cheesy pasta

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/crispy-smoked-sausage-baked-mac-and-cheese-casserole-easy-recipe-for-comfort-food-fans/