Written with love, by Sarah-Elizabeth Labelle
Around the holidays, I find myself with a very hectic schedule. Between staff parties, family gatherings and friends over for elaborate dinners, I tend to consume more turkey and Christmas Beasts then I’d like to admit. And to be honest, sometimes a girl just needs some mac and cheese during the chaos for the comfort and simplicity of it all.
During the fabulous festivities and potlucks galore, my fiancé and I have a tried and true dish that have people begging for the recipe. I’m pretty sure we’re invited solely based on this dish.
Whether you’re looking for something to take to one of your own potlucks, or you’re simply tired of turkey and stuffing, this Grown Up Mac & Cheese might be exactly what you’re looking for! It’s simple, delicious and will certainly be the talk of the party.
Ingredients
· 3 tbsp. of butter
· 2 cups of Elbow pasta
· 1 tbsp. of chopped green onion
· ¾ tbsp. of salt
· 2 cups of skim milk
· ½ tsp of paprika
· ¼ tsp pepper
· ¼ cup of asparagus
· 2 cups of shredded cheese
· 2 tbsp flour
· ¼ teaspoon of crushed chili peppers (optional)
· 4-5 Italian sausages cut up
Directions
1. Start by preheating oven to 350F
2. Add pasta to boiling water (let cook for 8-10 minutes)
3. Melt 3 tbs of butter into a sauce pan on medium heat
4. Add in green onions, let cook for roughly 1 minute
5. Mix in flour and whisk until thickened
6. Add in milk, heat until boiling and cook for 1 minute
7. Mix in paprika, salt, pepper, and lastly shredded cheese
8. Whisk or stir until the sauce becomes thick and almost gooey
9. At this point if sausages (or hot dogs) are desired, begin warming in a frying pan and cooking meat
10. Strain pasta, and mix in with cheese sauce into a casserole dish
11. Add asparagus (or any other veggies) as well as crushed chili peppers
12. Bake in oven for 15 minutes
13. Add sausages or hot dogs into mixture
14. Bake for another 15 minutes until top layer is golden and/or bubbling
