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Home » Recipes » Main Course

Creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese

Stacey – May 23, 2019 – 18 Comments

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Creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese in blue serving bowl

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Busy weeknights and picky eaters can make mealtime a challenge.  My Jack can be a little picky, so I know this struggle first-hand.  One day he’ll eat salads with blue cheese on them and roasted Brussels sprouts, the next day he won’t eat the crispy end pieces on chicken fingers.  Go figure.  We work hard to keep him well rounded, but some day we just have to pick our battles.

Creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese with package of sausage in background One thing that we can always guarantee he’ll eat is mac and cheese.  He’s always been a big lover of a creamy pasta dish.  But, I mean, who isn’t??  So when my friends over at Kiolbassa Smoked Meats asked me to incorporate some of their delicious smoked sausage into a kid-friendly weeknight supper, I knew exactly where to start.

Picture of Sausage for Creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese
The creamy base of this stove-top mac and cheese is the perfect complement to the smokey flavor of their polish smoked sausage.  And it’s SO easy!  You’ll have this on the table in about 30 minutes – which makes it perfect for those busy weeknights… or any night for that matter!  Pair this with a fresh veggie or a salad and you’re ready to eat!

Creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese close photoA few things to keep in mind with this recipe…

Yes, you’re making a roux which will turn into a béchamel sauce, but don’t panic.  The names are scary, but the process isn’t.  This method is the best way to keep a stovetop mac and cheese nice and creamy.  And seriously, don’t stress.  You got this.

I love the convenience of using the pre-shredded bagged cheese, but in this case, freshly shredded cheese is best.  The powdery substance they use to keep the shreds from sticking together in the bag can often make a cheese sauce like this grainy.  To avoid that, grate it yourself.  It’s an extra step but I think it’s worth it.  Can you use the other stuff?  Sure you can.  Just know it might make the texture a little different.  But I also know that sometimes we can overlook something like in turn for the convenience.  That’s cool.  You do you.  🙂

Creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese close photoTrying to find Kiolbassa close to you?  Just use the product locator on their website to find it in stores.

Creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese close photo
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4.75 from 4 votes

Recipe Card

Creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 6
Author Stacey Little | Southern Bite

Ingredients

  • 1 (13-ounce) package Kiolbassa Polish Smoked Sausage, sliced
  • 1 (16-ounce) block sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 (1-pound) box elbow macaroni
  • 4 cups milk
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Instructions

  • Lightly brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
  • Grate the cheese on a box grater. Set aside.
  • Cook the pasta according to the package instuctions and drain. Set aside.
  • Pour the milk into a microwavable container and heat until warm - about 2 1/2 minutes.
  • In a large stock pot or dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add the warm milk, whisking constantly until it has all been added. Cook, stirring very frequently to prevent scorching, until thick - about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and gradually add the shredded cheese, stirring constantly until melted. Add the salt and mix well. Add the pasta and sausage to the pot and mix well. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Creamy Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese close photo
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Also, check out my other recipes made with Kiolbassa:

 

This post is sponsored by my friends at Kiolbassa Smoked Meats, but all thoughts and opinions are my own – just as always. Thanks for supporting the brands that support me.

Know some folks who would like this?

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Stacey Little of Southern Bite

Hey, y’all! I’m Stacey…

Feeding people makes me happy. Few things in this world delight me more than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! Read more…

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  1. Kathryn Rowe

    August 13, 2022 at 10:53 am

    Great electric skillet recipe, I even boiled my noodles then Browned my sausage in skillet. I used the sausage fat along with butter to make my rouge. Keeper for Tiny House 🏡

    Reply
    • Stacey

      August 15, 2022 at 11:21 am

      Oh this trick sounds wonderfully flavorful!

      Reply
  2. Keith & Angella Lawrence

    January 1, 2022 at 12:19 pm

    Happy New Years!!!
    The Lawrence Worlds Famous Mac & Cheese Casserole was a huge success. There was more than enough for the eight people that attended the event. What could not be eaten at the table was taken home as leftovers.

    As stated, I followed your direction according to the recipe and add a few extra steps. They Loved it… SO, Im back today to make a new version of the same.

    Just wanted to say thank you for the recipe and your readers for their twists of perfection that they added to make our Christmas and now New Years Dinner Great!

    Happy 2022 to all. We Made it!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      January 4, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      Ha! So glad to hear everyone enjoyed it!! Thanks for letting me know! Happy New Year!

      Reply
  3. Keith & Angella

    December 24, 2021 at 12:27 pm

    Every Christmas I am the desiginated Macarroni & Cheese guy. This year Im spicing it up a little. Thank you for the Great base recipe.

    I alterted the recipe slightly by using your direction but added grounded honey maple sausage and for cheese I used Valvetta Cheese, Pecorino Ramano and Parmigiano Reggiano, then backed it for 20m thereafter.

    It taste great to me and my wife. I’ll let you know what the party goers think of it.

    Thanks again.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      December 24, 2021 at 1:20 pm

      Sounds great! Looking forward to hearing back!

      Reply
  4. Michelle

    November 4, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    Not quite sure why you have to grade your cheese on a box grader I prefer my KitchenAid is much easier. 🤷‍♀️

    Reply
    • Stacey

      November 8, 2021 at 2:43 pm

      Well, not everyone has a KitchenAid. But yes, it would certainly be easier. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Clarissa

    August 23, 2021 at 5:51 pm

    This was very good. I browned the sausage with garlic powder, slap ya mamas, and Italian seasoning. I also added about 1/8cp of parmesan, a 1/8cp of gruyere, garlic powder and mustard powder. Then I baked it with breadcrumbs and a little more cheddar.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      August 25, 2021 at 8:24 am

      That sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing your tweaks!

      Reply
  6. Ellen Allen

    March 27, 2020 at 11:58 am

    I think the details (like grating your own cheese) make a big difference.
    Do you use ‘spiral’ type elbows?? And do your elbows have ridges on the outside ?

    Reply
    • Stacey

      March 27, 2020 at 12:37 pm

      I do and the ones I use do have ridges, but regular elbow macaroni will work just fine.

      Reply
  7. Barbara

    May 23, 2019 at 6:04 pm

    Don’t worry about what the boy eats (or doesn’t) My oldest (now_59) ate one meal a day for her first 2 years and I never knew from day to day which meal it would be. Doc. said she’d eat when she was hungry and he was right. as she got older I told her she had to TRY anything new, if she didn’t like it she didn’t have to eat it but she did have to TRY it at least. She will try anything once even now and usually ends up liking whatever. Kids tummys are smart, he won’t starve so enjoy him and just always have him TRY the new.

    Reply
  8. Sue

    May 23, 2019 at 4:47 pm

    You make your mac n cheese like I do! I think it’s worth making your own sauce, and like you said, really not that difficult. If I had time, I would actually put extra cheese on top then bake it to create a golden crust. Never thought to put sausage in it – will try that. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      May 23, 2019 at 5:39 pm

      I sure hope you’ll enjoy it!

      Reply
  9. Aileen

    May 23, 2019 at 3:05 pm

    This looks so yummy, Stacey! I’ll have to try it.

    Reply

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Stacey Little of Southern Bite

Hey, y’all! I’m Stacey…

Feeding people makes me happy. Few things in this world delight me more than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! Read more…

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