Apple Sausage Mac n Cheese

By khojnicki

Ingredients

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

Details

Servings 6
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 95mins

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 1/2 qt. baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 6 mins. 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 mins. Add the sausage, mustard powder, cayenne and 1 tsp salt and cook, stirring, until the sausage is golden, about 3 mins. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, about 2 mins. Stir in the apple juice and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, about 8 more mins.

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