Melty Cheddar Sausage Mac 

Ultra-creamy mac and cheese loaded with Melty Cheddar chicken sausage and a buttery cracker crunch—family-friendly comfort in just 30 minutes.
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Melty Cheddar Sausage Mac 

Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Servings: 1
Air Fryer
Dinner
Kid-Friendly
Melty Cheddar
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Few dishes pull double duty as both side and main quite like mac & cheese—and even fewer are as essential to a proper Thanksgiving spread as they are on a random Wednesday in April. A good mac isn’t bound by time, and this version—amped up with a savory, protein-packed hit of air-fried Melty Cheddar Chicken Sausage—is pure, ooey-gooey perfection.

The real chef’s kiss? Toasted, buttery crackers that add a golden, crunchy finish to every creamy bite. Whether it’s sitting next to turkey or starring in a leftovers bowl the next day, this mac & cheese hits every. single. time.

See Recipe
Baked mac and cheese with The Sausage Project Melty Cheddar Chicken Sausage coins and buttery cracker topping in a casserole dish.
Baked mac and cheese with The Sausage Project Melty Cheddar Chicken Sausage coins and buttery cracker topping in a casserole dish.

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
20 butter 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.

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