Recipe of the Day: Apple-Sausage Mac and Cheese

September 13, 2011 Apple-Sausage Mac and Cheese Recipe courtesy of Food Network Magazine Put a fall spin on cheddar mac and cheese by adding savory chicken-apple sausage and baking until bubbly. Get the Recipe: Apple-Sausage Mac and Cheese Ina's Mac and Cheese Rachael's Squash Mac and Cheese Go to FoodNetwork.com

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 pound medium pasta shells
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 6 ounces chicken-apple sausage, sliced 1/2 inch thick
• 1 tablespoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups apple juice
• 1 pound monterey jack cheese, shredded (4 cups)
• 1/2 pound extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 35 small butter crackers (1 sleeve Ritz), crushed

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2 1/2 -quart baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• 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 and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until the sausage is golden, about 3 minutes. Stir 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 more minutes.
• Slowly stir about three-quarters each of the monterey jack and cheddar cheese into the sauce until smooth, about 2 minutes. 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 the remaining cheese. Bake until bubbly, 25 to 30 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Photograph by Kang Kim