A comforting casserole featuring smoky sausage, pasta, and a creamy cheddar cheese sauce baked golden.
# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 10 oz penne or fusilli pasta
→ Meats
02 - 9 oz smoked sausage (e.g., kielbasa), sliced into ½-inch rounds
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Cheese Sauce
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
08 - 1 2/3 cups whole milk
09 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
10 - 1.8 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Topping
14 - 1.8 oz cheddar cheese, grated
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook smoked sausage slices for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, cook onion and red bell pepper for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
05 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, cooking 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens.
06 - Lower heat, add cheddar and Parmesan, stirring until melted. Mix in Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
07 - In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sausage, sautéed vegetables, and cheese sauce. Stir until evenly mixed.
08 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining grated cheddar cheese.
09 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling.
10 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired.
