Recipe: Macaroni and Cheese with Sausage, Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Macaroni & Cheese W/ Sausage, Sun-Dried Tomat
Yield: 4 Servings
Source: From the Denver Post Food Section 11/4/94

1/2 lb hot italian sausage; bulk
1/2 ts oriental chile paste (opt)
6 sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 lb macaroni; cooked
2 tb fresh basil; chopped
1/2 c freshly-made bread crumbs
vegetable oil cooking spray

cheese sauce:
2 tb butter
2 tb flour
1 1/2 c milk; heated
1/2 c white cheddar cheese; grated
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Preheat the 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 optional chile paste. Cover tomatoes with water in a microwave-safe dish and cook on high until softened--about 2 minutes. Drain off liquid and mince tomatoes. Put the cooked macaroni, sausage, tomatoes and basil into the casserole. Pour the cheese sauce over it and mix gently with a fork. Spread the crumbs over the cheese and spray top with vegetable oil. Bake, uncovered, until the top is browned and the sauce is bubbling, about 30 minutes.

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. Add salt and pepper to taste, lower the heat and
whisk in cheese. Cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes more. Serves 4.