Sausage and Mushroom Macaroni and Cheese
One can’t go wrong with macaroni and cheese! Especially one that is made with sausage and mushrooms. I always have chicken sausage and Cremini mushrooms in my fridge. They are my ‘to go’ ingredients- it is amazing what all I can make with just these two items.
This is a typical, from scratch macaroni and cheese- quite easy to make.. so next time you pick up the boxed variety.. think about making this one…
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pack chicken sausage, casings off and crumbled
- 1 10 oz pack Cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 medium shallots, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 cups cooked pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup plus ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano
- Salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat a large frying pan with the olive oil. Add the chicken sausage and sauté on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the shallots and garlic. Saute on medium heat for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Add butter to a medium saucepan. Add the flour and whisk on medium heat for a minutes. Slowly add the milk and whisk at the same time. Bring to a boil and whisk taking away any lumps as it thickens. Add 1 cup cheese. Add the cheese sauce to the sausage mixture with the pasta. Mix well and taste for seasonings. Add the mixture to an ovenproof bowl and bake for half an hour covered with aluminum foil. Take out and sprinkle with ½ cup cheese. Bake for another 15 minutes. Serve hot.
