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Tuscan Macaroni & Cheese
Though this dish may sound like peasant
food, its robust and satisfying taste and texture are fit
for a King. Not a version typically associated with
American home-style Mac & Cheese, the combination of
Isernio’s Italian sausages (pork or chicken), cheeses,
kalamata olives and tomatoes make it a memorable family
or company meal. The fact that it can be assembled the
day before baking makes it all the more appealing! |
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Ingredients |
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8 |
ounces Isernio's
hot or mild Italian sausage, pork
or chicken |
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8 |
ounces (about 2
cups) gemelli or elbow macaroni,
cooked and drained |
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8 |
ounces cream
cheese, cut into cubes and
softened |
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4 |
ounces (about 2 cups)
crusty Italian bread, cut into 1" cubes |
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1 |
cup kalamata olives,
pitted, halved |
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4 |
ounces (about 1 cup)
mozzarella cheese, shredded |
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1 |
tbsp. butter |
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1 |
tbsp. flour,
all-purpose |
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1 |
tsp. sage, dry,
whole leaf |
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1/4 |
tsp.
thyme, dried, whole leaf |
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1 |
tsp. salt |
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1/4 |
tsp. cayenne pepper |
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1-1/2 |
cups milk, whole |
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2 |
tomatoes, medium, sliced
thin |
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2 |
ounces (about 1/2 cup)
Asiago, Parmesan and/or Romano cheese,
shredded |
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Method |
 Preheat
oven to 350 F. Remove the sausage
from their casings, if present. In
a skillet, cook and crumble the
sausage over medium heat. Cook
only until pink is gone.
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In
a large bowl, combine the sausage,
cooked pasta, cream cheese, bread
cubes, olives and mozzarella
cheese. Set aside. |
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In
a medium saucepan, melt the butter
over medium heat. Stir in the
flour, sage, thyme, salt and
cayenne pepper. Add the milk all
at once. Cook and stir until
slightly thickened and bubbly.
Pour sauce over pasta mixture.
Stir gently. |
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Transfer
half the mixture to a buttered
2-quart casserole. Evenly layer I
tomato across the surface of the
pasta mixture. Top it with half
the Asiago. |
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Place
remaining pasta mixture over the
tomatoes. Cover with foil and bake
in the preheated oven for 35
minutes. Uncover; top with the
remaining tomato slices and Asiago
cheese. Continue to bake uncovered
for 15 minutes more, or until
heated through and bubbly. |
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Let
stand for 15 minutes before
serving. If desired, sprinkle with
more cheese. |
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ISERNIO'S
5600 Seventh Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108
Tel.: (206) 762-6207 Toll-free: 1-888-495-8674
Fax: (206) 762-5259 Email: info@isernio.com
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