Best 4 Pimento Mac And Cheese With Chicken Sausage Recipes

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Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our Pimento Mac and Cheese with Chicken Sausage, a dish that harmoniously blends creamy macaroni and cheese, tender chicken sausage, and the tangy zest of pimentos. This Southern-inspired comfort food is elevated with a medley of flavorful ingredients, promising a symphony of textures and tastes in every bite. Alongside this signature recipe, discover a collection of equally enticing variations, including a vegetarian delight crafted with roasted red peppers, a zesty rendition featuring chorizo, and a luscious seafood extravaganza brimming with shrimp and crab. Embark on a delectable adventure as you explore these culinary masterpieces, each offering a unique twist on the classic mac and cheese experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PIMENTO MACARONI AND CHEESE



Pimento Macaroni and Cheese image

Pimento Macaroni and Cheese is an easy skillet mac with the flavors of pimento cheese. If you're a pimento cheese lover, it'll be your new favorite dinner!

Provided by Sue Moran

Categories     30 minute dinner

Number Of Ingredients 11

10 ounces cavatappi pasta (or elbows, or rotini)
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup cream
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (yellow or white is fine) shredded
1/2 cup finely chopped pimentos (I used a 5 ounce jar of whole pimentos)
1/2 cup Ritz cracker crumbs (process them in a food processor or crush them in a baggie with a rolling pin)
2 Tbsp butter, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325F and lightly butter a 10 inch cast iron skillet.
  • Cook the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a medium heavy bottomed saucepan and whisk in the flour, paprika, and salt. Cook for a couple of minutes over medium heat, whisking constantly.
  • While whisking, add the milk and cream slowly to avoid lumps. Whisk or stir with a silicone spoonula until all the milk and cream are incorporated. Keep cooking, stirring constantly, until the mixture ALMOST comes to a boil, and thickens. Do not let it boil.
  • Remove the pan from the heat (this is important) and let it cool for a minute or two.
  • Add the shredded cheese to the pot, stirring until the cheese has completely melted. This may take a few minutes. If necessary you can put the pot back on the stove to gently heat until the cheese melts.
  • Stir in the pimentos and cooked pasta and turn into your buttered skillet.
  • Mix the cracker crumbs with the melted butter until the crumbs are evenly saturated.
  • Top with the crumb mixture, and bake for about 25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH SAUSAGE



Macaroni and Cheese with Sausage image

Skip the bun: Eat your sausage, pepper and onion in a mac and cheese.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h15m

Yield 10-12

Number Of Ingredients 11

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
One 8-ounce block sharp Cheddar, grated
1 cup grated Gruyere

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package directions for al dente. Reserve 1 3/4 cups of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta; set aside.
  • Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, breaking up the meat into small pieces, about 5 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add the bell pepper, onion and a pinch of salt to the drippings in the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes; transfer to the plate with the sausage.
  • Carefully wipe out the pot, add the half-and-half and cayenne and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Gradually whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere, 1 handful at time, until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from the heat.
  • Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta cooking water to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Stir in the sausage and vegetables; adjust the seasoning with additional salt. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and bake until bubbly and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

CHEESY STOVETOP MAC WITH SAUSAGE AND KALE



Cheesy Stovetop Mac With Sausage and Kale image

Quick, easy and delicious, this one-pan meal is perfect for weeknights when cleaning up is the last thing you want to do. It's reminiscent of hamburger skillet macs, which gained popularity in the 1970s, thanks to Hamburger Helper, when beef prices were high and families wanted to stretch a pound of meat. This kale-packed version spices up that classic with herby sweet Italian sausage, fresh garlic, red-pepper flakes and hot sauce. Like the original, the starch from the pasta helps thicken the cooking liquid into a quick sauce that becomes creamy once the cheese is added. Serve with a crisp green salad and toasted bread.

Provided by Romel Bruno

Categories     dinner, easy, weekday, pastas, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 white onion, diced
1 large bunch kale, leaves only, coarsely chopped
Kosher salt
3 large garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 pound loose sweet Italian sausage (see Tip)
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
1 pound short pasta (such as macaroni, cavatappi or fusilli)
2 cups/8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar
1 1/2 teaspoons hot sauce, plus more to taste

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil in a large, wide pot or a very large, deep skillet over medium-high, then add the onion, kale and ½ teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale has cooked down and the onion is smaller in size, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until the paste darkens slightly, 1 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the sausage and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces, until it loses its pink color, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Add the red-pepper flakes, sprinkle with salt and give everything a good stir. Add the chicken broth and pasta and stir to combine. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, place a lid on the pan and cook until the pasta is soft but still has some bite to it, about 10 minutes. Be sure to check on the pasta and stir every now and again. (The sauce will have thickened from the starch in the pasta.)
  • Add the cheese and hot sauce and mix well. Add salt and additional hot sauce to taste before serving.

PIMENTO MAC AND CHEESE



Pimento Mac and Cheese image

This recipe combines two classic Southern dishes to create something special: Pimento cheese, a spread for sandwiches, crackers and vegetables, meets mac and cheese for a peppery and spicier version of the traditional baked casserole. The core ingredients of pimento cheese - sharp yellow Cheddar, pimento peppers and cream cheese - cook into a sauce that's creamier and tangier than the usual purely cheese base.

Provided by Vallery Lomas

Categories     dinner, casseroles, main course, side dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

10 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for dish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound macaroni elbows
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, minced (seeded if desired for mild heat)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
4 cups whole milk
12 ounces sharp yellow Cheddar cheese, grated (3 cups)
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 (2-ounce) jars sliced pimentos, drained (1/2 cup)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water and drain again.
  • Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the panko and cook, stirring often, until golden and toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • Melt remaining 8 tablespoons butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add flour and paprika, stir well, and cook until vegetables are coated, about 1 minute.
  • While whisking, carefully stream in the milk until smooth and incorporated. Bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk. Simmer, whisking often, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the Cheddar cheese, cream cheese and pimentos, and stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add cooked pasta and stir to coat. Transfer to the baking dish and spread evenly. Evenly sprinkle the toasted panko on top. Bake until golden and bubbling, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then serve.

Tips:

- To make the pimento cheese sauce extra creamy, use a high-quality extra sharp cheddar cheese. - If you don't have pimentos on hand, you can substitute diced red bell peppers. - Feel free to adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to taste. - For a crispier topping, broil the mac and cheese for a few minutes before serving. - To save time, you can cook the chicken sausage and pasta ahead of time. - This dish can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.

Conclusion:

This Pimento Mac and Cheese with Chicken Sausage is a delicious and easy-to-make comfort food dish. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck. The creamy pimento cheese sauce is irresistible, and the chicken sausage adds a savory flavor. This dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

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