Mac & Cheese with Sausage Meatballs
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 4 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 4 servings
- Calories
- 923
- Total Fat
- 42
- Saturated Fat
- 21
- Carbohydrates
- 86
- Dietary Fiber
- 3
- Sugar
- 10
- Protein
- 49
- Cholesterol
- 113
- Sodium
- 1203
- Total: 35 min
- Active: 35 min
Ingredients
Kosher salt
12 ounces cavatappi or other corkscrew pasta
1 cup crushed cheese crackers
2 1/4 cups whole milk
10 ounces bulk sweet Italian sausage
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 ounces processed cheese (such as Velveeta), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain. Reserve the pot.
- Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup crushed cheese crackers and 1/4 cup milk in a medium bowl; let sit until slightly softened, about 10 minutes. Add the sausage and 2 tablespoons Parmesan and mix well to combine. Form the sausage mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 28); arrange on the prepared pan. Bake until golden and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Add the flour and the remaining 2 cups milk to the reserved pot and whisk until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cheddar and processed cheese and stir until smooth. Stir in 3/4 teaspoon salt and the mustard.
- Add the pasta and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water to the cheese sauce and stir to coat. Add the meatballs and stir to coat; thin with the remaining 1/4 cup cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed.
- Combine the remaining 1/2 cup crushed cheese crackers and 1 tablespoon Parmesan in a small bowl. Divide the mac and cheese among bowls and sprinkle with the cracker mixture.