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.
Great comfort food! I added some garlic, chipotle chili powder, and oregano! Then I used a cup of cheddar cheese and a cup of mozzarella to make it super creamy!
Delicious, great comfort food!
This recipe was so stinking easy and good!! I used cheese cheese along with the cheddar at the end. Phenomenal!
I changed some ingredients, instead of heavy cream I used cream cheese. And I used salsa for the diced tomato. Velveeta cheese instead of cheddar. It was great.
So… You didn’t make the recipe at all then.
Do you cook your macaroni first or not?
A definite family favorite. I usually make a pound of pasta and double everything else. You can use less cheddar and substitute some cream cheese to lessen the “bite.” My kids are coming home from college for the first time this weekend and this quick and easy dish is on the menu.
Excellent, loved it even more the second time making it. Followed recipe exactly, was perfect!
Did I miss to simmer? Simmer and cover??
Same question
I made this mac and sausage recipe a little different. I used one of each sweet and hot sausage cooked in the air fryer. Mixed in a bowl one egg, a can of milk, and some butter. I slightly cooked the macaroni. In a frying pan with a little olive oil sauteed onions, mixed peppers, scallions, garlic, hot peppers, and frozen mixed vegetables added some smoked paprika and a little salt and pepper. Shredded mild cheddar cheese. Placed all ingredients in a pan layered the cheese and poured the liquid over everything and cooked it in a 375 oven. Made a salad and dinner was served.
This literally has almost nothing in common with the original recipe. Ratings should be based on the actual recipe, not your interpretation.
Just made this in a cast iron skillet. One of the best easy meals I’ve ever made. WE ADDED: Chilli powder, a little white pepper and some parsley. Perfection! Thanks for a delicious and easy recipe!
Easy weeknight recipe with staple ingredients we keep in the house. We loved it!