APPLE-SAUSAGE MAC AND CHEESE

By porklion

Yields: 6 Servings

Preparation Time: ? min
Cooking Time: ? min

Source: Food Network Magazine 09/11

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 lb medium pasta shells
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 6 oz chicken-apple sausage, sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 1 tbsp mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups apple juice
• 1 lb monterey jack cheese, shredded (4 cups)
• 1/2 lb extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 35 small butter crackers (1 sleeve Ritz), crushed

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 2 1/2 -quart baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the sausage, mustard powder, cayenne and 1 tsp salt and cook, stirring, until the sausage is golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the apple juice and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, about 8 more minutes.

Slowly stir about three-quarters each of the monterey jack and cheddar cheese into the sauce until smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the pasta and sour cream. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the crushed crackers and the remaining cheese. Bake until bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.