Say goodbye to the orange powder—we’ve unlocked a tastier, cheesier take on classic mac & cheese that ups the creaminess while adding a savory hit of protein. The secret to this one-pot comfort food our Melty Cheddar chicken sausage, which gets air fried before taking a bath in an easy béchamel cheese sauce along with curly cavatappi pasta. The chef’s kiss? Toasted, buttery crackers for a satisfying crunch with every creamy bite. Meet everybody’s new favorite mac & cheese.
SERVING MULTIPLIER:
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1 package Melty Cheddar chicken sausage
1 pound dried cavatappi pasta
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 tbsp reserved for crackers
0.25 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1.25 Ritz crackers, crushed
Instructions
Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Servings: 1
1
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the cavatappi pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2
Make the cheese sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour and stir continuously until golden, about 2. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to cook until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 4–5 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper, reduce to low heat, then stir in the grated cheese until fully melted and smooth. Keep the sauce warm over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until you’re ready to assemble.
3
Cook the sausage: Line your air fryer with parchment sprayed with cooking oil. Air-fry the Melty Cheddar sausages at 400 ℉ for 4–5 minutes, until browned. Once slightly cooled, cut them into ½ inch coins.
4
Assemble the mac: In a greased 9x13 baking dish, combine the cooked pasta and sausage. Pour the cheese sauce over the top and gently mix to coat everything evenly. Set the oven to broil.
5
Make the topping: While the oven heats, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small pan over medium heat until it just begins to brown. Pour the butter over the crushed crackers in a heatproof bowl and stir to combine.
6
Finish and serve: Sprinkle the buttered cracker topping over the mac and cheese. Broil for 3–4 minutes, watching closely, until the top is golden and crisp. Serve immediately.
