SAUSAGE & PEPPER MAC N' CHEESE

Sausage & Pepper Mac N' Cheese image

This is comfort food at its best, with a yummy Italian twist! This combines two favorites, sausage and peppers and creamy homemade mac n' cheese :)

Provided by Midwest Maven

Time 1h10m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1 lb cavatappi pasta
1 large onion, chopped
3 bell peppers, cut into 1/4 inch strips 2 inches long (red, yellow and green)
2 tablespoons garlic, minced (we like garlic, you can use less if you like)
1 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk
2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups swiss cheese, shredded and divided
1 cup gorgonzola
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 cup garlic and cheese flavored croutons, crushed

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and put back in pasta pot.
In a large saucepan, heat the oil and butter over me dium heat and add the peppers, onions and garlic.
Saute the veggies until they get soft and the liquid from the peppers starts to evaporate.
While this is cooking, take the sausage without casings and cook in a small skillet until cooked through, breaking up big pieces like you would ground beef.
When the meat is cooked add to the pasta in the pasta pot.
When the liquid in the veggies is almost gone and they are soft, a dd the flour and stir continuously for a couple minutes.
Now add the milk and stir well.
Stir the milk mixture occasionally until it thickens.
Then add the 2 cups cheddar, 1 cup of the swiss and the 1 cup gorgonzola, and stir till melted.
Add salt, pepper, and basil to the cheese sauce.
Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and sausage in the pasta pot and stir well.
Pour mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
Sprinkle the crushed croutons and 1 cup swiss cheese evenly over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until browned a little on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1017.5, Fat 54.1, SaturatedFat 28.7, Cholesterol 144.8, Sodium 1192.5, Carbohydrate 80.5, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 5.5, Protein 52.1