Description
Creamy macaroni and turkey sausage blended with a rich homemade cheese sauce for a comforting family dinner.
Ingredients
1 pound elbow macaroni or other short pasta
1 pound Italian turkey sausage
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard (optional)
3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
Salt, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until tender. Drain well and set aside.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the turkey sausage and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces as it browns. Once fully cooked, transfer the sausage to a plate.
3. In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the onion mixture and stir continuously for 1 minute to create a roux.
5. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking to keep the sauce smooth. Add the Italian seasoning, black pepper, and dry mustard.
6. Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring often, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency, about 8–10 minutes.
7. Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the cheddar, mozzarella, and Gruyère cheese until fully melted and smooth. Taste and add salt if needed.
8. Return the cooked sausage and drained pasta to the pot. Stir everything together until evenly coated in the cheese sauce.
9. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
Freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly for the creamiest sauce.
Add extra cheddar on top before serving for an even richer finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American