Best Baked Macaroni And Gouda Cheese With Italian Sausage Recipes

EMERIL'S SAUSAGE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter a large casserole dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.
• Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water.
• Drain well.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, stirring, until browned and the fat is rendered.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the pan.
• Add the onions, bell peppers, and 1 teaspoon of the Essence, and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until soft, about 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic and anise seeds, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
• Remove from the heat.
• Melt the butter in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the flour, and stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, cook over medium heat until thick, 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to let the flour brown.
• Using a whisk, add the milk in a steady stream and cook, whisking constantly, until thick and smooth, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat.
• Add the salt, pepper, cayenne, and 2 cups of the cheese, and stir well.
• Add the noodles, cooked sausage and vegetables, and stir well to combine.
• Pour into the prepared baking dish.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup of cheese with the breadcrumbs and remaining 2 teaspoons of Essence.
• Sprinkle over the macaroni and bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

BAKED MAC & CHEESE W/ GOUDA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Spray a shallow 8x8 baking dish; set aside.
• Generously salt boiling water; add pasta. Cook, according to package instructions, until 2 minutes short of al dente.
• Drain pasta, rinse with cold water, drain and return to pot.
• While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium. Whisk in seasonings; then whisk in flour to form a thick paste.
• Slowly whisk in milk. Bring to a low boil; reduce heat to low, and simmer until sauce is thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
• To baking dish, layering:.
• Add 1/2 of cooked macaroni. Add 1/2 of sauce, 1/2 of each cheese. Repeat and top with cheeses.
• Can be made several hours in advance, covered and refrigerated until time to bake.
• Bake covered for 15-20 minutes.
• Uncover and bake until topping is golden and sauce is bubbling, an additional 15-20 minutes.
• *If refrigerated, additional time may be needed until it is bubbly and slightly browned.
• Cool 5 minutes before serving.
• *Notes: I use a packet of G. Washington Golden seasoning instead of salt & pepper. If you can find it, it is a great universal seasoning for sauces.
• April 2012, EDIT TO ADD: if doubling this recipe, use only 5 tablespoons of flour and 6 cups of milk. If you do not, you run the risk of a not so creamy and somewhat dry end result. At times I have added a bit more milk than recommended because the under cooked macaroni will absorb some of the milk. IMO a little creamier is better than too dry.

THREE CHEESE PASTA WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of slightly salted water to boil. Add the pasta once it is boiling and cook until the pasta is just under al dente (slightly resistant still). Preheat the over to 350 degrees.
• Shred all the cheeses and set aside. Begin to cook the sausage by heating a small skillet to medium heat & removing the meat from the casing. Use a wooden spoon to break apart the sausage for even cooking.
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat then add the onion. Saute until translucent and very fragrant about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute.
• Mix in the flour, let it cook for about 30 seconds.
• Add the chicken stock & milk, continuously whisking. SLOWLY add the 3 cheeses to the mixture about a small handful at a time. Add the next bit once the previous is completely melted and creamy within the liquid. When all the cheese is added reduce the heat to low and stir in the nutmeg, salt and pepper.
• In a baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, sausage, and cheese sauce.
• Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes. Remove and garnish with chopped parsley.