A Comforting Meal: Mac and Cheese Casserole

Who decided that mac and cheese is only for kids, because who doesn't love it?  Noodles smothered in cheddar cheese; so yummy!  What a comfort too.  When you've had a rough day, this is the perfect meal to fill you up, and make you feel better.  This casserole full of mac and cheesy goodness, plus little sausage bits and seasoned fried potatoes cubes spread throughout, and topped with crunchy potato chip crumbs. 



Ingredients:

• 16 ounces pasta of your choice 
• 2 medium sized potatoes 
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon old bay seasoning
• 1/2 pound pork sausage (I make sure to use MSG free)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 eight ounce block of sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons old bay seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
• 1 cup plain potato chips

Steps:

Crumble and brown the sausage in a large skillet.  Set aside for later.

While the sausage is browning, clean the potatoes, and chop into small cubes either by hand or using a Vegetable Chopper.  Set aside.

Heat the oil in the same skillet that you used to cook the sausage.

When the oil is hot, add the chopped potatoes, 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/8 teaspoon old bay seasoning.

Mix to evenly coat the potatoes.

Fry for 15-20 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown (and smell delicious.)

Cook the macaroni according to the directions on the package.

While the macaroni is cooking, start on the cheese sauce.

Over medium heat melt the unsalted butter in a large pot.

Once the butter is melted, add the 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 2 teaspoons old bay seasoning, dried chives and the flour.

Heat while stirring until fragrant.

When it smells yummy, add a few tablespoons of milk, and stir until it congeals (this will happen rather quickly.)

When the milk, flour, and butter mixture has become thick, pour in the remainder of the milk, and stir.

Chop up the cheese into bite sized cubes, and add it to the milk.

Stir occasionally until the cheese has melted.  If at anytime the cheese sauce begins to bubble, the heat is too high.

This makes the best cheese sauce!

The secret to a cheese sauce that no only tastes great, but re-heats great without getting all separated and weird is, butter.  Not oil, butter.

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix together the sausage, cooked macaroni, potatoes, and cheese sauce.

Mix until everything is evenly coated and evenly distributed.

Spread the macaroni mixture into a glass Baking Dish.

Crush the potato by putting them into a plastic zip top bag and crushing by hand or using a rolling pin.

Cover the top of the casserole with the potato chips. 

Place the prepared casserole into the oven, and bake for 20 minutes.

Garnish with some green onion.

Wow, was this meal a hit!  This has definitely earned a spot on our menu. 



     ~ Enjoy