Stovetop Sausage Mac and Cheese makes a hearty family meal and it can be made in under 30 minutes using only one pan. It’s the ultimate easy comfort food and is perfect for a weeknight dinner. This creamy, cheesy pasta dish is made with Italian sausage, macaroni, fire-roasted tomatoes and lots of cheddar cheese.
I love the flavor that ground sausage adds to mac and cheese and the fact that it makes it feel more like a main dish. It’s basically a sausage version of Homemade Hamburger Helper and kids go crazy over it.
It’s every bit as delicious as this Super Creamy Mac & Cheese.
The sausage adds so much flavor that you don’t need a long list of ingredients. Best of all, the pasta cooks right in the same pan, so there’s only one pot to wash!
How To Make Stovetop Sausage Mac and Cheese
(More detailed instructions and video in recipe card below.)
- Brown the sausage. Place the sausage and the onion in a large pan. Cook, breaking apart the sausage as it cooks, until the sausage is no longer pink.
- Add the liquids and macaroni. To the pan, add the undrained fire-roasted tomatoes, water, half-and-half and macaroni.
- Simmer. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 12 to 14 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the cheese. Remove from heat and stir until the cheese is melted.
- Let it thicken and then serve. The sauce will thicken as it cools so let it cool for a few minutes before dishing up.
For another hearty, family-friendly pasta dish, try my Cream Cheese Lasagna.
Recipe Tips
- Use freshly shredded cheese. It melts more smoothly and tastes better than pre-shredded cheese.
- Stir frequently. Since the macaroni cooks directly in the sauce, stirring helps it cook evenly.
- Let thicken before serving. It may look a little liquidy at first but once the cheese is melted and mixed in and it cools slightly, it will really thicken up.
What To Serve With Sausage Mac and Cheese
This is a complete meal, but I sometimes like to serve it with:
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
This mac and cheese is best served immediately while it is still warm and creamy. If you have leftovers refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating add a splash of milk or half-and-half and heat gently.
Variations
- Make it spicy. Use Hot Italian sausage and add a pinch of crushed red pepepr flakes.
- Use a different cheese. Replace half the cheddar with Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack cheese.
- Add Bacon. Cook a few slices of bacon, crumble them, and then use some of the bacon drippings to cook the sausage.
30-Minute Easy Weeknight Dinner
Stovetop Sausage Mac and Cheese couldn’t be easier to make and there are hardly any dishes to clean.
Got to love a meal that can be on the table in under 30 minutes and is so cheesy and satisfying with a bite of yummy ground sausage in every bite!
More Comfort Food Favorites
- Creamy Taco Spaghetti
- Creamy Chicken Bog
- Italian Sausage and Peppers
- Philly Cheese Steak Mac and Cheese
Stovetop Sausage Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian Mild Ground Sausage
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1 (8-ounce) package macaroni pasta
- salt and pepper
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place sausage and onion in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking sausage apart with a wooden spoon, until sausage is no longer pink.
- Add diced tomatoes, water, half-and-half, and macaroni. Cook, stirring frequently for 12 to 14 minutes.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, keeping in mind that the cheddar cheese will add some saltiness.
- Sprinkle cheese on top and stir until melted and mixed in. Remove from heat.
- Let sit for a few minutes before serving. It will thicken up as it cools a little.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally published March 20, 2016.
Can I use milk instead of half and half? I only have 1%
I used sour cream instead!
love this easy recipe. used buttermilk because I was out of milk.
YUM! My kids gobbled this Sausage Mac n’ Cheese up! Thanks for the easy recipe! 🙂
Family loved it! I used gluten free macaroni and they never knew the difference.
Has so much flavor! Almost too much actually, but I like this as a starting point for sure. And it is one pan and so simple. Usually home made Mac n Cheese comes out so bland, this gives it that kick it needs. Thank you for posting this.
I made a few adjustments for my taste. Here is what I did:
*Used 1/4 C of Heavy cream since I didn’t have half & half. I added an additional 1/4 water and some powdered milk to make up the 1/2 cup called for in the recipe but next time I will leave the extra 1/4 cup out as mine came out a bit too liquidy.
*Reduced sausage/onion mixture to 3/4 lbs of sausage as it seemed like way too much sausage to pasta ratio.
*Added 4 Oz of Cream Cheese
*Added another cup (113 g) of Monterey Jack Cheese
**NEXT TIME – Do not add salt. I think the cheese has enough salt – reduce liquid by a half a cup total – Maybe add another 1 cup of Cheddar – Use Medium Cheddar instead of Sharp as Sausage has enough bite. It will help mellow the dish.
Ok. I’ve tasted this again after it has set and after I’ve given my taste buds a break.
My conclusion?
Reduce the water I used as stated by 1/4 a 1/2 cup. Reduce the added salt to nothing or just a smidge.
But, other than that,
the way I cooked it is awesome sauce 👍.
This stuff is reeeeally good (see above for alterations).
I super appreciate this recipe and as always, recipes can be tweaked to adjust to personal preferences. That’s the beauty of online recipes. They are an incredible starting point. To some this will be spot-on perfect. I promise 👍. And to others, their tastes needs to adjust it one way or the other. That’s okay.
Personally, I have struggled finding a good Mac n Cheese recipe online that didn’t come out bland or just bad. This one, answered the call. It was just what the doctor ordered and so full of flavor.
Try it.
Even if you add or take away some things… I promise
You won’t be disappointed.
Add a can of tomato soup!!! It works magic!!!
Great recipe. I actually didn’t use but one cup of cheese and it was still amazing. Loved it!!!
This dish was phenomenal!!!
Your a life saver!! Last minute recipe I made. It’s quick, easy and tastes amazing!! Going to make it again . Thank you so much!!
Do you drain the grease from the cooked sausage crumbles?
Yes, if there is a lot of grease, go ahead and drain it.
Any recipe that uses Italian sausage I not only drain, but I also rinse it in a strainer. It makes a world of difference.
Do you drain tomatoes ?