For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of 1%. If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, a tablespoon of tomato paste added to the sauce provides depth. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference. Feel free to experiment with other Italian cheeses like Asiago or Gorgonzola.
Italian Mac and Cheese
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PREP TIME10 mins
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COOK TIME35 mins
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TOTAL TIME45 mins
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SERVING5 People
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VIEWS15
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this luxuriously creamy Italian Mac and Cheese. A symphony of Italian cheeses, savory sausage, and sun-dried tomatoes come together in a comforting and flavorful bake.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate40 g
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Cholesterol111 mg
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Fiber2 g
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Protein25 g
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Saturated Fat19 g
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Sodium771 mg
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Fat39 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
StepPreheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
02
StepCook the penne: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
03
StepPrepare the sausage: While the pasta cooks, cook Italian sausage in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
04
StepMake the cheese sauce: Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook the flour and avoid lumps.
05
StepAdd liquids and cheese: Gradually whisk in milk, cream, and reserved pasta water until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Combine mozzarella, provolone, Fontina, and Parmesan cheeses in a bowl. Gradually add about 4/5 of the cheese mixture to the sauce, stirring until melted and smooth.
06
StepCombine and bake: Add the cooked penne, Italian sausage, and julienned sun-dried tomatoes to the cheese sauce. Mix well to combine. Pour the mixture into an 8x8 inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese mixture and a little extra Parmesan.
07
StepBake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned, about 25 minutes. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
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Felton Runolfsdottir
Jun 17, 2025Easy to follow and delicious! I used spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick.
Maribel Kozey
Jun 9, 2025The sauce was so creamy and flavorful. I will definitely make this again!
Triston Littel
May 30, 2025I made this last night, and it was a huge hit with my family. It's definitely going into our regular rotation.
Providenci Fayabshire
May 21, 2025This recipe is fantastic! The combination of cheeses is perfect, and the sun-dried tomatoes add a great burst of flavor.