Italian macaroni And Cheese, With Sausage, Sun-Dried Tomatoes And Basil

[Kitchen Witch]

Italian macaroni And Cheese, With Sausage, Sun-Dried Tomatoes And Basil

Macaroni Ingredients:
1/2 lb. bulk hot Italian sausage
1 1/2 t prepared Oriental chili paste
5-6 sun-dried tomatoes, diced
1-2 T olive oil
1/2 lb. macaroni, cooked
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup freshly make bread crumbs
Vegetable oil cooking spray


Cheese Sauce
2 T butter
2 T flour
1 1/2 cups milk or non fat half and half
1 cup grated white cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste


For The Macaroni Cheese Sauce
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.

Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly but not brown, about 2 minutes.

Add the hot milk, continuing to stir as the sauce thickens.

Bring to a boil and add salt and pepper to taste.

Lower the heat and whisk in the cheese. Cook stirring, 2 to 3 minutes more.

For The Macaroni Preparation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Grease a 1 1/2 quart casserole with oil spray.

Cook sausage in a pan over medium-high heat. Drain off grease.

Stir in the chili paste.

Put the cooked macaroni, sausage, tomatoes, and basil into the casserole. Pour the cheese sauce over it and mix gently. Spread the crumbs over the top and spray with vegetable oil.

Bake, uncovered, until the top is browned and the sauce is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

Serves 4