Barely Mac ‘n’ Cheese

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, brown hot sausage. During the last few minutes of cooking the sausage, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sprinkle half of the cayenne pepper over the sausage mix (adjust according to heat preference). Stir. Turn burner off and set skillet aside.

3. In large saucepan, melt butter completely over medium heat. With a whisk, mix in flour one tablespoon at a time until it forms a thick paste. Add milk and whisk until mixture appears smooth and uniform. Allow mixture to cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to bubble and sauce begins to thicken significantly. When sauce is about the consistency of a gravy, reduce heat to medium low and begin slowly adding cheese. Allow cheese to melt smoothly into the sauce, stirring frequently and adding more cheese when necessary. (Reserve one cup of cheddar cheese for topping later.) Once all cheese is added, taste the sauce. This is where you decide how much heat you can handle. Prepare yourself.

4. If sauce is spicy enough for you already, just add a bit of ground pepper and move on. If you want a little hair on your chest, add in the cayenne pepper and ground pepper. If you really like to get wild with your mac ‘n’ cheese, add in some diced green chiles or jalapenos. Also, you can adjust the thickness of the sauce right now by adding a little more milk to thin it out if necessary.

5. Get out your biggest casserole dish or two small casserole dishes. Grease lightly. Dump pasta, sausage mix, and quartered grape tomatoes into the casserole dish. (Oh, and don’t skimp on the grape tomatoes. They make this dish. Really). Mix thoroughly. Pour cheese sauce over the top of the mixture. Sprinkle the reserved cup of cheddar cheese (or pepper jack, or both) over the top of the casserole. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of that. If you’re feeling randy, sprinkle a little chili powder on top of that.

6. Pop this baby into a 375-degree oven for twenty minutes or until mixture is hot, bubbling, and cheese is deliciously melty.

7. Kiss your lover. Hug a baby. Smell a flower. Thank your favorite higher power/philosopher/critical thinker that you live in a world with hot delicious melty cheese and pasta dishes. Serve the casserole and enjoy it thoroughly. I know I do.