Italian Mac & Cheese

This is our hands down favorite recipe!! I am only posting 4 recipes b/c this recipe you will have leftovers with and they are yummy. I normally serve this with a salad and garlic bread. Orginally this recipe has mushrooms in it...however I do not like mushrooms. So add in the mushrooms while sauteing the garlic if you would like them. :)

1lb penne pasta
1lb Italian sausage cooked and crumbled (if you can only find in casings, remove them from casings)
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Butter
3-4 garlic cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and Pepper
12 crimini mushrooms (if you desire)
2 Tbsp. Flour
1 cup Chicken Stock
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 - 10oz sack of shredded cheese - 4 cheese Italian blend
1 can diced tomatoes, drained well
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Salt water and cook pasta to your desired taste.

In a large non-stick skillet, brown and crumble the sausage. Drain cooked crumbles on paper towel lined plate. Return pan to heat and add olive oil, butter, garlic, and mushrooms (if desired). Season liberaly with salt and pepper. Saute 3-5 mins. Add flour and stir, cooking 2 mins. This will make your roux.

Preheat oven to broiler on high

Once you have a pasty smooth roux whisk in chicken stock, then stir in cream. Bring cream to a bubble, then stir in 2 cups of 4 cheese blend. Wait tell sauce bubbles and keep stirring.

Combine cheese, sausage, pasta in a large bowl. Stir in diced tomatoes. Transfer to baking dish. Sprinkle parmeasan cheese on top and place in oven. Cook until golden brown on top and serve.