Mac and Cheese with Smoked Sausage
14-16 ounces fully-cooked smoked sausage,
cut into medium chunks
8 ounces dried elbow
macaroni
2 tablespoons unsalted
butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2
tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon dry
mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2-1/4
cups 2% milk
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp
Cheddar cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded
Monterey Jack cheese
2 teaspoons Dijon
mustard
- In a large nonstick skillet,
sauté smoked sausage, over medium heat, until
very lightly browned. Remove with a
slotted spoon, drain and transfer to a
bowl.
- Meanwhile, over high heat, and in a
large, heavy saucepan, bring 2 to 3 quarts cold
water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and
stir. Return water to a boil and reduce
heat. Stir the pasta occasionally.
Following package directions, cook just until
the macaroni is tender. Drain
pasta.
- In
the same saucepan, melt butter over medium
heat. Add onion and sauté just until the
onion is soft. Whisk in flour, dry
mustard and cayenne pepper, blending
well. Continue to cook and stir for 1- 2
minutes or until the flour is slightly
golden. Slowly pour in milk, whisking all
the time. Continue to cook and stir until
the mixture thickens slightly and comes to a
simmer. Continuing to stir and cook
another 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and quickly add cheeses, stirring until the cheeses melt.
- Return the saucepan to medium heat and stir in prepared mustard, smoked sausage and cooked macaroni. Stir to coat the sausage and pasta with the cheese sauce. Continue to heat until the mixture is steaming and heated throughout.
- Serve
immediately.
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