A savory bake combining smoky sausage, pasta, and creamy cheddar cheese sauce baked to golden perfection.
# 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)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook sausage slices 3–4 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and reserve.
04 - In the same skillet, cook onion and bell pepper 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and sauté 1 additional minute.
05 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
06 - Reduce heat; add cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until melted. Stir in Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
07 - Mix pasta, browned sausage, sautéed vegetables, and cheese sauce in a large bowl until evenly combined.
08 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining grated cheddar cheese.
09 - Bake for 20–25 minutes until top is golden and bubbling.
10 - Allow to rest 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
