Italian Sausage and Kale Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Creamy baked mac and cheese jazzed up with spicy sausage and kale! Great for Sunday dinner! 



Hey everyone!! Do you need a new recipe for Sunday dinner? I have the perfect one for you today!


This Italian Sausage and Kale Mac and Cheese is ridiculously good! It has a little bit of spiciness from the hot Italian sausage and pepper jack cheese, which I love! It's not too overpowering. If you prefer, you can sub for regular Italian sausage and swap the pepper jack for another cheese. This does make a smaller batch, but you can always double the recipe if you have more than just a few people! It's way too good!

What are your favorite add-ins for mac and cheese? I really love this recipe I blogged while back. The bacon, spinach and mushrooms are fantastic! I love jazzing up simple recipes and creating something amazing! I hope you enjoy!

Italian Sausage and Kale Macaroni and Cheese 

What you need:
1 cup elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions, drained and rinsed
1 hot Italian sausage, casing removed
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup onion, finely diced
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon flour
1 3/4 cup milk
4 ounces velveeta, cubed
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1 large stalk kale, stem removed and cut into small pieces
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
salt and pepper, if needed

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a skillet, cook Italian sausage until no longer pink, breaking sausage into pieces while cooking. Remove from skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the onion and paprika and saute until onion is tender. Add the flour, stir and cook for 1 minute. Then add the milk, velveeta and pepper jack, and cook until cheese is melted and sauce has thickened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir often.

Add the pasta, sausage and kale to the cheese sauce, and mix until combined. Add salt and pepper if desired. Pour into a glass baking dish, spread evenly and top with panko bread crumbs. 

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and browned.



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On the blog... one year ago: Shrimp and Crab Seafood Enchiladas


Two years ago: Tuna, Brown and Wild Rice Casserole


Three years ago: Hamburger Vegetable Soup


This recipe was shared at: The Better Baker

Comments

  1. I love sneaking kale into dishes my kids love! Thanks for the recipe!

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  2. I'll keep the hot sausage and pepper jack! Sounds delicious!

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  3. Love the cheesy goodness! This looks like the perfect meal!

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  4. Woohoo! I just made a similar mac and cheese yesterday :) It even included the hot sausage, so we are on the same boat!

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  5. I love mac and cheese, kale, AND sausage, so it's like you made this just for me. Thanks, Sheena!! :)

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  6. This sounds delicious! I think I'll have to try it out this week!

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  7. Loving the looks of this mac and cheese! I'm all over the addition of kale. Love kale.

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  8. Always looking for new Sunday night recipes. Can't wait to try it out!

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  9. So cheesy and delicious looking! I love that you used kale in there too. Definitely one to try!

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  10. Love the way this mac and cheese sounds! Love that you added kale.

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  11. Lots of delicious flavors in this mac and cheese dish. Love that you added some sausage. I need to make this soon!

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  12. Love your combination of flavors. The spice of the sausage will cut through the richness of the cheese sauce. So perfect!

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  13. LOVE sausage and kale together and I love love mac n cheese. So craving now :)

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  14. Love the sausage and kale additions to mac n cheese. This looks so good.

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