Name: Pimento Mac and Cheese with Chicken Sausage
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H30M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: Kosher salt; 8 ounces elbow macaroni; 1 bunch broccolini (about 8 ounces), chopped; 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 links sweet Italian chicken sausage (about 2 1/2 ounces each), casings removed; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 3/4 cups milk; 3 ounces cream cheese; 1 3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (about 7 ounces); 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1 4-ounce jar chopped pimentos, drained; 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs

Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, adding the broccolini during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage; cook, breaking up the meat, until lightly browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Remove the sausage to a plate using a slotted spoon.
Add the flour to the drippings in the skillet; cook, stirring, until incorporated, 1 minute. Whisk in the milk. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese until smooth, then stir in the cheddar, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt until melted and smooth, about 1 minute. Stir in the pasta and broccolini, sausage and pimentos.
Preheat the broiler. Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter in the microwave; stir in the panko and sprinkle the mixture over the pasta. Broil until golden brown, about 3 minutes.