You're going to love our Sausage Mac and Cheese Bake is great for busy families, new moms, or even a delicious hearty dish for parties and potluck! This Sausage and Pepper Mac & Cheese is the perfect make ahead week night meal. (You might also like to check out these 25+ Make Ahead Meals).
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There's nothing I love more than Mac and Cheese... except for make-ahead mac and cheese. You know, a dish that you can make up ahead of time and then just pull out at dinner time! Of course, it's not the healthiest dish in the world, so we've got to veg it up a little and add some protein.
You're going to love, love, love this make-ahead Sausage Mac and Cheese Bake. Full of fresh red and orange peppers, smoked sausage, and lots of cheese, it's a whole hearty meal in one dish.
If you love mac and cheese as much as I do, you definitely want to check out our other recipes. Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese might be the most decadent recipe, while Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is the easiest. For a little kick, try my Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese. Wing fanatics will love our Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese with slow cooker and stovetop options!
🧂 Ingredients
- rotini pasta
- sausage such as sweet Italian sausage or kielbasa
- red and orange bell peppers
- whole milk
- butter
- cheddar cheese
- mozzarella cheese
From the pantry: salt and black pepper, red pepper flakes (optional)
🔪Instructions
This is meant to be a brief overview of the sausage mac and cheese recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a large stock pot, fill with water, bring to a boil, and cook pasta according to package directions. In the last 2 minutes of cooking pasta, drop pepper slices into the water to get tender. Cook remaining 2 minutes and then drain in a colander.
- In a skillet, quickly warm the sliced sausage through. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Add butter to empty stock pot, and once melted, add milk or cream. Pour the cooked pasta back into pot; stir. Add cheddar cheese and 1⁄2 cup mozzarella cheese to pasta in pot, stir vigorously to combine well. You should see cheese melting. Add red pepper flakes
- Then, stir the sausage slices into the pasta and creamy sauce mixture.
- Pour pasta mixture into a large greased baking dish. Spread evenly and then sprinkle remaining (1⁄2 cup) mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and refrigerate. It can stay in the fridge for 2-3 days before baking.
- When you’re ready to eat, preheat your oven to 425-degrees F and bake covered for 10 minutes.
- Then remove the foil and continue cooking until it’s heated through and the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown.
- Serve immediately and garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Equipment
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- Measuring Spoons
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Stock Pot
- Colander
- Skillet
- 9x13 Baking dish
- Tinfoil
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🍴 Serving Suggestions
This is also a great inexpensive party food or potluck meal. Double the batch and serve it family-style for a potluck or the big game. If you're looking for something more elegant, portion it into ramekins and serve it tapas-style. Either way, it will be a big hit with everyone.
Sausage Mac and Cheese is a great dish to pop in the freezer ahead of baby arriving and perfect for delivering to a new mom. We've all had those days with a new baby when you are just too tired to eat, let alone cook.
Double the recipe and make two casseroles. Keep one for your family, then drop in (call first!) to see the new mom with the other and you'll be their hero (just don't stay too long!)
📖 Variations
- Instead of sausage, try adding grilled chicken to the mac and cheese mixture.
- Play around with the veggies for different flavor combos. Broccoli, asparagus, and eggplant are all delicious in this recipe.
- To up the ante on the smokiness, add smoked Gouda instead of cheddar cheese.
- Add a pinch of ground mustard for flavor, which enhances the flavor of cheeses.
- Top with a layer of panko bread crumbs for a little crunch.
- Use apple sausage, cheddar sausage, or even chicken sausage.
- Spaghetti seasoning or Italian seasoning both add great flavor to this dish.
Related: Ground Sausage Recipes
😋 Similar Recipes
Next time, try our Best Instant Pot Mac and Cheese or Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese! Here are a few other delicious comfort food recipes you might enjoy:
- Homemade Italian Meatballs
- Easy Shepherd's Pie
- Cajun Mac and Cheese
- Best Ever Sausage and Potato Casserole
- Pasta with Sausage and Broccolini
- Ranch Mac and Cheese with Chicken
📋 Sausage Mac and Cheese
Not ready to make our sausage mac and cheese bake yet? Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Sausage Mac and Cheese
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Ingredients
- 1 pound box of pasta
- 3 smoked sausages cut in bite sized pieces
- 1 red peppers sliced
- 1 orange pepper sliced
- ¼ cup whole milk half and half, or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- 1 tablespoons red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a large stock pot, fill with water, bring to a boil, and cook pasta according to package directions. In the last 2 minutes of cooking pasta, drop pepper slices into the water to get tender. Cook remaining 2 minutes and then drain in a colander.1 pound box of pasta, 1 red peppers, 1 orange pepper
- In a skillet, quickly warm the sliced sausage through. Remove from heat and set aside.3 smoked sausages
- Add butter to empty stock pot, and once melted, add milk/cream. Pour pasta mixture back into pot; stir. Add cheddar cheese and 1⁄2 cup mozzarella cheese to pasta in pot, stir vigorously to combine well. You should see cheese melting. Add red pepper flakes¼ cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, 1 tablespoons red pepper flakes
- Pour pasta mixture into a large greased baking dish. Spread evenly and then sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cover with foil and refrigerate. It can stay in the fridge for 2-3 days before baking.1 cup mozzarella cheese, ½ cheddar cheese
- When you’re ready to eat, preheat your oven to 425-degrees and bake covered for 10 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue cooking until it’s heated through and the cheese is melted and lightly browning.
- Serve immediately and garnish with Parmesan cheese if desired.
Equipment
- Stock Pot
- Colander
- Tinfoil
Notes
📖 Variations
- Instead of sausage, try adding grilled chicken to the mac and cheese mixture.
- Play around with the veggies for different flavor combos. Broccoli, asparagus and eggplant are all delicious in this recipe.
- To up the ante on the smokiness, add smoked Gouda instead of cheddar cheese.
Nutrition
Meal Planning
Want to add this recipe to your meal plan? Download our free printable meal plan here.
This recipe is included in Meal Plan 27 along with:
- loaded potato salad
- BBQ chicken tacos
- taco stuffed shells
- chicken avocado caprese salad
- chocolate peanut butter overnight oats
- s'mores cupcakes
... and more!
👉 Be sure to check out all our meal plan ideas here.
Danielle says
I"m a HUGE fan of make-ahead recipes, and this one sounds like a must-try!
Liz says
Thank you Ang for the nice recipes.
Ang Paris says
I know, right? Mac and Cheese is kind of my life 🙂