Baked casserole blending smoky sausage, tender pasta, and rich cheddar cheese sauce for a hearty meal.
# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 10 oz penne or fusilli pasta
→ Meats
02 - 9 oz smoked sausage (e.g., kielbasa), sliced into 1/2-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 - 1/2 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)
# Method steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Boil salted water in a large pot and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Heat a 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, sauté onion and bell pepper for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
05 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, cooking until slightly thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
06 - Reduce heat, stir in cheddar, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until cheeses melt. Remove from heat.
07 - In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, sausage, sautéed vegetables, and cheese sauce until well combined.
08 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and evenly top with grated cheddar cheese.
09 - Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until top is golden and bubbling.
10 - Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
