Baked Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa

The Wheel of Meals landed on Comfort Food

Mac and Cheese is my ultimate comfort food plus we had some kielbasa on hand, so I found this recipe online that combined both.  It was good even if it wasn't the healthiest.  We did have a spinach salad to accompany it so at least that's something.  I split the casserole into different baking dishes and made half and froze the other half for another time.

Baked Mac and Cheese with Kielbasa
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:
1 package (12-16oz) cooked kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 oz elbow macaroni
1/3 cup butter
1 small onion, chopped
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
salt and ground black pepper
1 cup Panko bread crumbs

Directions:
Cook and stir the cut-up kielbasa in a large skillet over medium heat for about 5-6 minutes until heated through and beginning to brown.  Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Fill a pan with slightly salted water and bring to a boil.  Add the macaroni and cook until the pasta is slightly underdone, about 8 minutes.  Drain and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350º

Meanwhile, melt the butter in the skillet over medium-low heat and add the chopped onion, cooking and stirring until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.  Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes to make a roux.  Whisk in the milk a little at a time, stirring constantly.  Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook over low heat for 2 minutes to finish cooking the flour, stirring constantly.  Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, a little at a time, until all the cheese has been incorporated and the sauce is hot and smooth.

Pour the macaroni into the skillet with the cheese and stir to combine.  Stir in the cooked kielbasa.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Spoon the macaroni into a lightly sprayed large casserole baking dish and sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top.  Bake at 350º for 20 minutes until crumbs are brown and casserole is bubbling.  Let cool 5 minutes before serving.