Kickin Southwestern Mac N Cheese With Sausage Recipes

MAC & CHEESE WITH SAUSAGE MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425˚ F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs for al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain. Reserve the pot.
• Meanwhile, combine 1/2 cup crushed cheese crackers and 1/4 cup milk in a medium bowl; let sit until slightly softened, about 10 minutes. Add the sausage and 2 tablespoons Parmesan and mix well to combine. Form the sausage mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 28); arrange on the prepared pan. Bake until golden and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes.
• Add the flour and the remaining 2 cups milk to the reserved pot and whisk until smooth. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the cheddar and processed cheese and stir until smooth. Stir in 3/4 teaspoon salt and the mustard.
• Add the pasta and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water to the cheese sauce and stir to coat. Add the meatballs and stir to coat; thin with the remaining 1/4 cup cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed.
• Combine the remaining 1/2 cup crushed cheese crackers and 1 tablespoon Parmesan in a small bowl. Divide the mac and cheese among bowls and sprinkle with the cracker mixture.

KICKIN' SOUTHWESTERN MAC 'N CHEESE WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• In large deep frying pan, brown onion and meat, breaking up as you go, until no longer pink in the middle. Remove with slotted spoon to a medium-sized bowl. Drain grease from pan and wipe out with a paper towel.
• Add salsa, water, bouillon and spices. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add noodles, reduce to medium-low, cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes until noodles are tender and water has been absorbed. (*If you have excess water, just uncover, increase heat and lightly boil until water evaporates.) Stir in sausage mixture and Velveeta. Stir until cheese has melted. Serve with toppings of choice!
• *I always use Superior Touch Better than Bouillon Beef Base. It's in the same aisle as regular bouillon. It's much better than cubes or dried granules.

MACARONI AND CHEESE WITH SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package directions for al dente. Reserve 1 3/4 cups of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta; set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until lightly browned, breaking up the meat into small pieces, about 5 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add the bell pepper, onion and a pinch of salt to the drippings in the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes; transfer to the plate with the sausage.
• Carefully wipe out the pot, add the half-and-half and cayenne and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 15 minutes. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Gradually whisk in the Cheddar and Gruyere, 1 handful at time, until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Remove from the heat.
• Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta cooking water to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Stir in the sausage and vegetables; adjust the seasoning with additional salt. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and bake until bubbly and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

KICKIN' MAC 'N CHEESE

Steps:

• Cook macaroni in boiling salted water as per directions on package. Drain well and place in a deep 2-quart casserole dish.
• While pasta is cooking, stir together Velveeta, evaporated milk, and Jalapeño peppers in a saucepan over medium heat, until Velveeta melts and mixture is smooth. Pour mixture over cooked pasta and combine well.
• Toss together the Fritos and pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle on top of macaroni and cheese. Bake in a 350° oven until top is crunchy and golden, about 25 minutes. Allow to cool about 5 minutes before serving.