BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH SAUSAGE, ONION AND TOMATO
1 recipe Classic Macaroni and Cheese made with 2 tablespoons flour and 2 cups shredded cheese:
CLASSIC MACARONI AND CHEESE
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons butter
2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
Ground pepper to taste
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
2-3 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook the macaroni in lightly salted water until it is almost al dente, still firm. Drain and set aside. While the macaroni is cooking, heat the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. When the butter has melted and looks foamy, turn the heat to low and add 2 tablespoons flour. (If you are not going to bake the macaroni, use the extra 1/2 tablespoon flour.) Cook, stirring constantly, preferably with a whisk, for 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the milk, stirring almost constantly for 3-4 minutes, or until a smooth sauce has formed. Stir in the salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Add 2 cups of the cheese and continue to cook, stirring with the whisk or a wooden spoon for 4 or 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Pour the sauce over the cooked macaroni and mix thoroughly.
Serve, if desired, with the remaining grated cheese on top. If you wish to bake the mac and cheese, put it in a casserole dish, top with the remaining cheese, and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Makes 4 servings.
1 pound loose Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large tomato, cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs
3 tablespoons melted butter
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Fry the sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking up the pieces, for 6 to 8 minutes or until the pieces are crispy. Remove the meat from the pan and set it aside.
Add the onion to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until it is soft. Add the tomato and cook briefly. Add the cooked sausage. Add the contents of the pan to the Macaroni and Cheese.
Place ingredients in casserole dish. Combine the bread crumbs and butter and sprinkle over the casserole. Bake for about 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Makes 4 servings.
