Apple Sausage Mac and Cheese comes together quickly and makes a delicious meal. It’s the perfect fall dinner! A unique yet delicious spin on your classic Mac and Cheese recipe.
Is it terrible to admit that I’m glad the weekend is coming to an end? I know, it’s terrible. As our weekend of sickness closes, I am seeking comfort in food. I made this recipe a few weeks ago and I was on the fence about it. I don’t post anything that I’m on the fence about. It has to be fabulous! So I changed a few things and made it again. This time I loved it!
With the temperature changing and the leaves beginning to change colors, we are being signaled fall is on the way and fall = comfort food. If you are looking for a seasonal and unique yet delicious mac and cheese recipe, you have to give this one a try.
HOW TO MAKE APPLE SAUSAGE MAC AND CHEESE
STEP 1 – Prepare pasta
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
STEP 2 – Prepare chicken apple sausage and cheese sauce
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 pepper and salt and cook until the sausage is golden, about 3 minutes. Whisk 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 minutes.
STEP 3 – Putting the dish together
Slowly stir about three-quarters each of the Monterrey jack and cheddar cheese into the sauce until smooth. Remove from the heat. Stir in the pasta and 1/2 cup sour cream. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with the crushed crackers and remaining cheese. Bake until golden brown around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes.
RECIPE TIPS
Any shaped pasta can be used in this recipe for a fun shape and texture change. Radiatore is my current favorite!
Substitute Gruyere cheese for Monterrey Jack if you’re up for a delicious change.
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Apple Sausage Mac And Cheese
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 16 oz. package medium pasta shells
- 1/2 yellow onion chopped
- 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
- 4 cups shredded Monterrey jack cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a oval or 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the sausage, mustard powder, cayenne pepper and salt and cook until the sausage is golden, about 3 minutes. Whisk 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 minutes.
- Slowly stir about three-quarters each of the Monterrey jack and cheddar cheese into the sauce until smooth. 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 remaining cheese. Bake until golden brown around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes.
Notes
Substitute Gruyere cheese for Monterrey Jack if you’re up for a delicious change.
This recipe is mouthwatering. I imagined how the apples would blend with the mac & cheese. But by the looks of it, it's a must-try!