Italian Mac and Cheese Bake

• Meat

  • 1 package Johnsonville mild italian sausage, links or ground

• Produce

  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 1/4 cup Parsley, fresh
  • 1 (14.5 oz. can Tomatoes

• Canned Goods

  • 1 cup Chicken stock

• Pasta & Grains

  • 12 oz Barilla penne or other tube shaped pasta

• Baking & Spices

  • 3 tbsp Flour
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes
  • 1 Salt and pepper

• Oils & Vinegars

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil

• Bread & Baked Goods

  • 3 slices Sandwich bread

• Dairy

  • 3 tbsp Butter
  • 1 cup Milk
  • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Found on letsdishrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Barilla Penne or other tube shaped pasta
• 1 package Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage (links or ground)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, well drained
• 3 slices sandwich bread, torn into large pieces
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Cook pasta according to package directions until just al dente (pasta will finish cooking in oven). Drain and set aside.
• While pasta cooks, cook sausage in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until browned, (if using sausage links, remove from casings first), breaking sausage apart during cooking. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and wipe out the pot.
• Return Dutch oven to stove-top over medium heat and add butter. Cook garlic in butter until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour and cook a few minutes more.
• Gradually whisk stock into pan, followed by milk. Bring to a simmer. Stir in red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Simmer sauce until it is thickened slightly. Add the mozzarella cheese and continue to cook over low heat until cheese is melted.
• Add pasta and cooked sausage to sauce in Dutch oven and stir to combine well. Pour pasta mixture into the prepared baking pan.
• In a food processor, pulse bread, Parmesan cheese, parsley and olive oil to form crumbs. Sprinkle crumb mixture over pasta
• Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.