Italian Mac-n-Cheese

Rachael Ray

Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

Show: 30 Minute MealsEpisode: Downsized Dining

Picture of Italian Mac-n-Cheese Recipe Photo: Italian Mac-n-Cheese Recipe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 223 Reviews
Total Time:
30 min
Prep
10 min
Cook
20 min
Yield:
4 servings, plus leftovers
Level:
Easy
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound ziti rigate, penne rigate or cavatappi (ribbed, hollow corkscrews)
  • 1 pound Italian bulk sweet sausage
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 or 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 12 crimini mushrooms, sliced
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 (10-ounce) sack, 2 1/2 cups, shredded Italian 4 cheese blend, available on dairy aisle
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, drained well
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco), optional
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan, a couple of handfuls

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt water and cook pasta to a chewy al dente, about 8 minutes.

In a nonstick skillet, brown and crumble the sausage. Drain cooked crumbles on paper towel lined plate. Return pan to heat and add extra-virgin olive oil, butter, garlic and mushrooms. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Saute 3 to 5 minutes, until mushrooms are lightly golden.

Preheat broiler to high.

To mushrooms, add flour and stir, cooking 2 minutes. Whisk in stock, then stir in cream. Bring cream to a bubble, then stir in 2 cups of 4 cheese blend. When cheese has melted into sauce, add tomatoes. When sauce comes to a bubble, remove from heat and adjust seasonings, adding hot sauce if desired.

Combine cheese sauce with sausage and pasta, transfer to baking dish, casserole or oven safe serving platter. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of 4 cheese blend and the grated Parmesan over the top and brown under hot broiler.

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 223 reviews

  • on January 03, 2012

    Flag

    THIS WAS A HUGE WINNER IN MY FAMILY! 6 YEAR OLD BOY WENT BACK FOR THIRDS! I USED CHICKEN SAUSAGE AND QUINOA PASTA! SIMPLE TO MAKE AND WILL DEFINITELY BE A STAPLE IN OUR HOUSE!!!!

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  • on December 30, 2011

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    I made a double batch for a potluck and had people fighting over who got to take the leftovers home so I think that say's alot! The sauce is super creamy and the italian sausage just takes it over the top! Now I know it's un-american but we're not the biggest fans of mac-n-cheese (it's usually just a boring one note cheese fest but this dish has such bold flavors that I'm a new convert. And trust me...unless your a 4 year old you'll never want that sad ol' yellow mac-n-cheese again!

    people found this review Helpful.
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  • on December 28, 2011

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    Excellent! This makes a lot and it is so tasty!!

    people found this review Helpful.
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