SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE
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SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC AND CHEESE
70 MINS | 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 pkg. (16 oz.) Recipe Essentials Sweet Italian Sausage
- 2 cups cubed butternut squash
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 ½ cups shredded Brussel sprouts
- ½ tsp. packed light brown sugar
- ½ lb. cavatappi pasta
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 cup milk
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 ½ cups shredded cooper sharp cheese, divided
- ¼ tsp. dry mustard
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 375F. Grease 13”x 9”x 2” baking dish, set aside.
- Place butternut squash on one baking sheet. Toss with 1 Tbsp. olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Place Brussel sprouts on second baking sheet. Toss with remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
- Place vegetables in oven and roast 20 to 35 minutes, stirring half way through cooking time. Note: Brussel sprouts will cook faster than squash. Remove vegetables from oven.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350F. Set Brussel sprouts aside.
- Place butternut squash in food processor with ¼ cup water; process until smooth and creamy; set aside.
- While vegetables are roasting, prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In medium sauté pan over medium heat, cook sausage, stirring frequently to break up sausage, until no longer pink and browned. With slotted spoon, remove sausage to bowl.
- Top drippings in pan add butter; stirring until melted. Stir in flour; cook 1 minute.
- Gradually stir in milk and heavy cream; cook until mixture thickens.
- Remove pan from heat; stir in butternut squash puree, 2 cups shredded cheese and seasonings. Stir until cheese is melted.
- Stir in pasta, three-quarters of the sausage and half the Brussel sprouts. Spoon pasta mixture into prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle with reserved sausage and remaining ½ cup cheese and remaining Brussel sprouts.
- Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.
