Italian Mac and Cheese



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Prep Time:
10 mins

Cook Time:
35 mins

Total Time:
45 mins

Servings:
5


Ingredients

  • 8ouncespenne pasta
  • 10ouncesItalian sausage
  • 1 ½tablespoonsunsalted butter
  • 2clovesgarlic, minced
  • 1pinchcrushed red pepper flakes (Optional)
  • 1tablespoonflour
  • 1cup1% milk
  • ½cupheavy whipping cream
  • ¼cupreserved pasta water
  • 1 ¼ouncesgrated mozzarella cheese
  • 1 ¼ouncesgrated provolone cheese
  • 1 ¼ouncesgrated Fontina cheese
  • 1 ¼ouncesfinely grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼cupjulienned sun-dried tomatoes

  • Directions

    Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until penne start to get tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

    Meanwhile, cook Italian sausage in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.

    Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and red pepper flakes until garlic is fragrant, 30 to 45 seconds. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir to combine, making sure there are no lumps.

    Pour in milk, cream, and reserved pasta water. Mix mozzarella, provolone, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses in a bowl and stir in about 4/5th of the cheese mixture. Stir to combine. Add penne, cooked Italian sausage, and julienned sun dried tomatoes to the cheese sauce. Mix to combine and pour into an 8×8 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture.

    Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and lightly browned, about 25 minutes.



    Cook’s Note

    I selected the cheese in this recipe for their melting properties.

    Feel free to use hot Italian sausage, but omit the red pepper flakes.

    A green salad will pair perfectly with this dish.


    Nutrition Facts (per serving)

    603 Calories
    39g Fat
    40g Carbs
    25g Protein

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