The Magic of Mac n’ Cheese
Mac n’ cheese is a staple of comfort food. You can’t help but feel nostalgic with every creamy bite. The golden, bubbling surface of melted cheese promises warmth and comfort from the end of a long day. People love mac n’ cheese, from kids to grandparents, and it is often a blank canvas for creativity in the kitchen. The use of pasta coated in creamy cheese sauce invites creativity in the kitchen, and it is a favorite recipe for home cooks looking for comfort and happiness in their lives.
The Goodness of Linguiça
Enter Linguiça…the Portuguese sausage with all sorts of smoky, garlic-flavored goodness. It is not delicate like other sausage flavors; it brings the whole experience to life. It awakens the story behind mac n’ cheese with flavor and creates strong contrasts with the crispy, caramelized edges and velvety creaminess. Linguiça creates a whole new experience with layers of crispy/layered textures with all types of melted cheese with a hint of garlic and spice. The beloved dish every generation has grown to love becomes sophisticated in a whole new way.
What Makes This Recipe Special
This recipe is a perfect balance of comfort with a daring twist. The creamy cheese sauce with sharp cheddar, combined with the touch of nutmeg, coats the noodle, combined with flavorful bold, spicy linguiça. As a home cook, it checks all the boxes: it will satisfy cravings, surprise your palate, and provides comfort in the kitchen, yet exciting with all of the familiarity. It will fit any occasion, easy to make but delicious and explosive with flavor.
A Welcome to Comfort Food Elevated
The Appeal of Macaroni and Cheese
When it comes to comfort food, macaroni and cheese tugs at the heartstrings with every creamy mouthful. The promise of that bubbling, golden top and the bubbling warmth of the dish offers complete comfort and joy. Macaroni and cheese can be made to suit everyone’s taste and desires. Macaroni and cheese is a base dish and has existed for centuries, but its simplistic combination of pasta and a creamy cheese sauce offers countless iterations to add to whatever dish you are creating, which is why for home cooks wishing to get the moment of comfort and joy, it is a staple.
Linguiça is a Powerful Flavor Addition
Enter linguiça, a Portuguese sausage that adds smoky, garlicky flavors to your dish. Linguiça is not as tame as sausages like Italian sausage, pork sausage, and chicken sausage, so you will have no problem elevating your dish. That browned, crispy, caramelized edge is a perfect addition to the creamy goodness of the dish. It will make a simple item like macaroni and cheese interesting with the additional textures and tastes.
Why This Recipe Is Different.
This recipe is a balance between traditional and bold. The creamy cheese sauce is made of smoky, sharp cheddar cheese, nutmeg, and the spicy, flavorful linguiça. This dish satisfies cravings while being surprising. Because everyone enjoys comfort food but why not offer them a twist? It is easy to prepare while also being an impressive dish to serve at your next gathering.
Servings and Timing
Servings
This recipe makes 6 large servings which will be great to serve a family, or to share with a small group of friends with leftovers to spare!
Preparation Time
Preparation only takes 15 minutes, so this makes an easy dish even on busy weekday nights! You won’t have to sacrifice time for taste, since chopping, sautéing and layering are all very straightforward.
Cooking Time
The actual cooking takes around 30 minutes – this includes boiling the pasta and baking it to get that beautiful color and cheesy crust! Overall, you can have this on the table in under an hour from start to finish.
🥢 Ingredients :
Pantry Ingredients for Base
✅ 1 lb elbow macaroni
✅ 4 tbsp unsalted butter
✅ 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
✅ 3 cups whole milk
✅ 2. cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
✅ 1/2 tsp kosher salt
✅ 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
✅ 1/4 tsp black pepper
Linguiça with its own Profile
✅ 8 oz linguiça, sliced thin
Linguiça is a Portuguese sausage that uses garlic, paprika, and other spices and has a subtle smoky flavor, and a touch of spicy flavor. Linguiça is the main distinguishing ingredient that makes this recipe unique!
Optional Extras for Customization
✅ 1/2 cup grated parmesan (for added umami)
✅ 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs (for an amazing crispy topping)
✅ Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions :
Cooking the Linguiça
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the slices of linguiça and cook for 5-7 minutes, until crispy and browned throughout. Be sure to stir occasionally to avoid burning and uneven cooking. As the linguiça cooks, it will smell amazing – I could smell the hints of the garlic and paprika like a gift from above. Once the linguiça is crispy and golden, remove it from the heat and save it for later. If you can, reserve at least a tablespoon of the fat left in the skillet.
Making the Cheese Sauce
Add the butter to the skillet, and add the reserved fat from the linguiça. Heat over medium. Once melted, whisk in the flour to create a roux and heat the roux for about 2 minutes until slightly golden. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid any lumps. Let it simmer for 5 minutes or so until it thickens. Remove from heat and whisk in the cheddar cheese. Add the right amount of salt, a pinch of nutmeg, and a few cracks of black pepper. The sauce should be silky and coat the back of a spoon.
Combining and Baking
Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. In a large pot of salted boiling water, boil the macaroni for 6-8 minutes, or until al dente. Then drain and mix with the cheese sauce and crispy linguiça. Transfer to a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. If you’d like, sprinkle some Parmesan and panko on top. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Serving Considerations
Serve warm, with parsley for garnish, and along with a nice green salad or roasted vegetables.
💡 Success Tips:
Choosing Your Linguiça
Use authentic Portuguese linguiça (found at specialty markets and online), which has a slightly smoky spice; If you can’t find Portuguese linguiça, Spanish chorizo can also be used but it has a slightly different flavor. Try to steer clear of overly processed sausage so the flavor can shine through.
Picking Cheese for Creaminess.
You must use sharp cheddar cheese, as it has that sharp, tangy depth of flavor. You can use a little Monterey Jack or Gouda in addition to your cheddar for more creaminess. Always grate your fresh cheese. Pre-shredded cheese typically has some type of starchy coating, which will bother your sauce.
Make-Ahead and Storage.
You can make this recipe ahead of time (up to 1 day before). Just assemble it without baking it, store in the refrigerator, and then bake it when you need it. You can add an extra 5 – 10 minutes on to the bake time if you are starting from a cold state. Once baked, you can store leftovers for 3 days in an airtight container. Simply reheat gently with a splash of milk to loosen and bring back the creaminess – don’t overheat or it will become grainy. Unbaked portions can also be frozen for up to 1 month.
📊Nutrition Information
Calories
Slightly more complicated than just calories…per serving (1/6 of recipe): ~620 calories (keep in mind that the linguiça and rich cheese sauce play into these numbers).
Macronutrient Information
Total Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 85mg
Sodium: 920mg
Total Carbohydrate: 52g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 24g
Considerations For Dietary Needs
For a lighter version, use low-fat milk, and cut the cheese down to half, though you may lose some creaminess. For those with sensitivities, the gluten-free pasta would work well. Because of the sodium content of the linguiça, care should be taken for low-sodium diets; you can actually rinse the sausage and lessen the salt content.
Conclusion: A Dish to Enjoy
Versatility of the Recipe
This macaroni and cheese with linguiça can fit into any occasion, from a casual weeknight dinner with the family to a holiday gathering with friends. Its bold flavors are sure to make it stand out at the table, while its straightforwardness makes it approachable for cook of any level.
Encouraging Culinary Creativity
Feel free to add in caramelized onions or roasted red peppers to this dish if you’d like to make it your own. You can substitute swordfish for any one of a number of sausages, allowing you to add another flavor profile while keeping the spirit of innovation alive.
Pairing Ideas for a Complete Meal
Serve with citrus-dressed arugula salad as a bright and acidic counterpoint to this rich dinner. A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or medium-bodied Pinot Noir will complement the smokiness of the linguiça, finishing off your meal deliciously.
related
