Tomato and Apple Chicken Sausage Mac and Cheese

I love macaroni and cheese!  I love the creamy, cheesy sauce and the warming feeling the dish gives me. It reminds me of childhood. My Mom always made the best mac and cheese. We had the boxed variety sometimes, but it was always special when my Mom made it from scratch. She also browned hot dog slices in butter and threw those in. Ahhh childhood!! Of course now I actually have to watch what I put in my mouth, but I still want to eat my favorites. I have created some amazing mac and cheese dishes. If you love buffalo wings with blue cheese, you will love my Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese and the most amazing, low point invention ever Super Cheesy Low Fat Cauliflower Macaroni and cheese. You will not be able to even tell there is cauliflower in it! (cut the pieces really small) Here is my version of my Mom’s famous Mac and cheese with hot dogs, with a fall spin. I used apple chicken sausage and added some nutmeg for a warm homey feel. Enjoy!

Tomato and Apple Chicken Sausage Macaroni and Cheese

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound whole wheat elbow macaroni or penne
• 2 cups low fat milk
• 1/2 stick of butter
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 3 cups reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 fresh tomatoes sliced
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
• 4 chicken apple sausages

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cook macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
3. Cook sausage and slice.
4. Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small pan, but don’t boil it. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the  Cheddar, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked pasta and sausage and stir well. Pour into an  greased 8X8 inch baking dish or casserole dish.
5. Slice the  tomatoes and arrange on top. Sprinkle the panko bread crumb on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the pasta is browned on the top.