Dairy Farmers of Canada

Brooklyn-Style Mac & Cheese

“This is a creamy twist on hearty Brooklyn-style Italian flavours that delivers spicy, satisfying comfort food, with garlic, sausage, fresh herbs, butter, Ricotta and Bocconcini.” - Kevin Durkee

  • Prep: 20 min
  • Cooking: 40 min
Yields 8 - 10
brooklyn style mac cheese

Ingredients

  • 4 large plum tomatoes, cut into 8 wedges
  • 6 cloves garlic, cut in half
  • 1 lb (450 g) mild Italian sausages, sliced into ½˝ (1 cm) rounds
  • 1 lb (450 g) cavatappi (scoobi doo) pasta
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (500 mL) 2% milk
  • 3 tsp (15 mL) salt, divided
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) red chili flakes (optional)
  • 2 cups (500 mL) divided Bella Casara, Quality Cheese Ricotta
  • 24 (240 g) Bella Casara, Quality Cheese mini Bocconcini
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) each fresh oregano and flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) breadcrumbs, toasted
  • 6 tbsp (90 mL) fresh basil, chopped
Placeholder alt

CONE QUEST CONTEST

Ready to scoop up a tasty prize? Sign up for More Goodness rewards to play Cone Quest and get a chance to win ice cream.
Plus, you’ll be in for all kinds of savings, recipes, offers and more.

SIGN UP NOW

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Butter a 13” x 9˝ (3.5 L) baking dish.

On a large, rimmed non-stick baking sheet, in a single layer, place tomatoes and garlic; season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake 5 minutes; remove from oven and add sausages in a single layer. Bake 15–20 minutes or until tomatoes are softened and sausages are golden brown.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour; cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk; bring to boil while whisking. Reduce heat; cook, whisking for 5 minutes or until thickened. Season with 2 tsp (10 mL) each of salt and pepper and add chili flakes, if using.

Remove from heat; stir in 1½ cups (375 mL) of Ricotta until fully combined. Add sausage mixture, pasta, Bocconcini, oregano and parsley; combine gently.

Spread into prepared dish. Bake for 10 minutes or until crisp and golden.

Dollop remaining Ricotta on top, let stand 5 minutes. Spoon into bowls; sprinkle with breadcrumbs and basil.

Tips

Cheese alternatives: Canadian Ricotta, Bocconcini.

Learn more about

Nutritional information

Per serving
Energy: 597 Calories
Protein: 27 g
Carbohydrate: 51 g
Fat: 37 g
Fibre: 3.1 g
Sodium: 1175 mg
(% DV*)
Calcium: 292 mg