Barely Mac n Cheese - Pasta Of

Method

• 1.
• Bring a large pot of water to boil.
• Prepare pasta according to package directions.
• Drain and set aside.
• 2.
• Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, brown hot sausage.
• During the last few minutes of cooking the sausage, add the diced onion and minced garlic.
• Sprinkle half of the cayenne pepper over the sausage mix (adjust according to heat preference).
• Stir.
• Turn burner off and set skillet aside.
• 3.
• In large saucepan, melt butter completely over medium heat.
• With a whisk, mix in flour one tablespoon at a time until it forms a thick paste.
• Add milk and whisk until mixture appears smooth and uniform.
• Allow mixture to cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to bubble and sauce begins to thicken significantly.
• When sauce is about the consistency of a gravy, reduce heat to medium low and begin slowly adding cheese.
• Allow cheese to melt smoothly into the sauce, stirring frequently and adding more cheese when necessary.
• (Reserve one cup of cheddar cheese for topping later.)
• Once all cheese is added, taste the sauce.
• This is where you decide how much heat you can handle.
• Prepare yourself.
• 4.
• If sauce is spicy enough for you already, just add a bit of ground pepper and move on.
• If you want a little hair on your chest, add in the cayenne pepper and ground pepper.
• If you really like to get wild with your mac n cheese, add in some diced green chiles or jalapenos.
• Also, you can adjust the thickness of the sauce right now by adding a little more milk to thin it out if necessary.
• 5.
• Get out your biggest casserole dish or two small casserole dishes.
• Grease lightly.
• Dump pasta, sausage mix, and quartered grape tomatoes into the casserole dish.
• (Oh, and dont skimp on the grape tomatoes.
• They make this dish.
• Really).
• Mix thoroughly.
• Pour cheese sauce over the top of the mixture.
• Sprinkle the reserved cup of cheddar cheese (or pepper jack, or both) over the top of the casserole.
• Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of that.
• If youre feeling randy, sprinkle a little chili powder on top of that.
• 6.
• Pop this baby into a 375-degree oven for twenty minutes or until mixture is hot, bubbling, and cheese is deliciously melty.
• 7.
• Kiss your lover.
• Hug a baby.
• Smell a flower.
• Thank your favorite higher power/philosopher/critical thinker that you live in a world with hot delicious melty cheese and pasta dishes.
• Serve the casserole and enjoy it thoroughly.
• I know I do.