As a working mom, quick meals are essential. I rely on time-saving cookbooks, and one of my favorites is the Gooseberry Patch series. Because the recipes come from real people, they’re often tried, true, and family-friendly. This week’s Hunk of Meat Monday spotlight is a simple, comforting Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese Skillet.
The recipe was adapted from Gooseberry Patch’s Meals in Minutes cookbook, which I’ve used for years. The original was called Skillet Ham & Cheese, but I had smoked sausage on hand, so I substituted it — a small change that made it perfect for our family.
Start by sautéing the vegetables in butter until tender. While they cook, slice the smoked sausage into bite-sized pieces. Once the onion and bell pepper are soft, stir in flour and salt to create a roux.
Slowly whisk in the milk to form a smooth, thick sauce. Add the uncooked elbow macaroni and the sliced sausage to the sauce, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream and shredded Swiss cheese until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Do not let the mixture boil after adding the dairy, to prevent curdling. Mix thoroughly and serve hot — this one-pot meal is ready in under 30 minutes and makes a hearty weeknight dinner.
Smoked Sausage Mac and Cheese Skillet
Ingredients
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3.5 cups milk
- 14-16 ounces smoked sausages, sliced
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
Instructions
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Sauté the chopped onion and bell pepper in the melted butter until tender.
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Stir in the flour and salt to form a roux.
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Slowly whisk in the milk until a thick, smooth sauce forms.
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Add the sliced smoked sausage and the uncooked macaroni to the sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
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Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, until the pasta is tender.
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Stir in the sour cream and Swiss cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Do not let the mixture boil after adding the dairy.
Have a favorite meaty dish of your own? Share your recipe and explore others for dependable, weeknight-friendly ideas. If you use this recipe, feel free to mention where you found it so others can discover more easy meals.
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