Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) package fully cooked
kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1/3 cup butter
1 small
onion, chopped
3 tablespoons all-purpose
flour
2 cups milk
1 (10 ounce) package sharp Cheddar cheese,
cubed
salt and ground black pepper to
taste
1 cup dry bread crumbs, or more as
needed
Directions
1. Cook and stir the cut-up kielbasa in
a large skillet over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, until heated through and
beginning to brown. Remove the sausage from the skillet, and set
aside.
2. Fill a pan with lightly salted
water, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stir in the macaroni, and return
to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through but
is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well.
3. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a
9x13 inch baking dish.
4. Melt the butter
in the skillet over medium-low heat, and cook and stir the chopped onion for
about 5 minutes, until translucent. Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly to
avoid lumps. Cook and stir the butter, onion and flour for 2 to 3 minutes to
make a roux, and remove from the heat. Whisk in the milk a little at a time,
stirring constantly, until all the milk has been incorporated, and return to low
heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and cook over low heat for about 2 minutes,
stirring constantly, to finish cooking the flour. Whisk in the Cheddar cheese, a
few cubes at a time, until all the cheese has been incorporated and the sauce is
hot and smooth.
5. Pour the macaroni into
the cheese sauce, and stir to combine. Stir in the cooked kielbasa, salt, and
pepper.
6. Spoon the macaroni mixture
into the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top. Bake
for about 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the crumbs are brown and the
casserole is bubbling. Let stand for 15 minutes after baking, to set beforeserving.