This is a fun, satisfying meal for a cool fall night. It’s all quick and easy, too. I garnished the plates with apple slices and served more on the side. The slaw and apples are a refreshing complement to the heavier sausages and mac and cheese.
Big-Kid Pigs in a Blanket
4 Chicken Apple Sausages (Pre-cooked)
1 package dough for bread sticks
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard and more for serving
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Brush each sausage with Dijon mustard and wrap in bread dough strips (approximately 2 strips per sausage). Bake for 15 minutes, or until bread is golden brown. Makes 4 servings.
Steakhouse Mac and Cheese
I usually make baked mac and cheese in a casserole dish with breadcrumbs. We went to Manny’s Steakhouse the other night and my husband spotted their mac and cheese side dish and asked me if I could make it like that – a huge bowl of cheesy mac mounded high without any topping. It’s actually faster than the casserole way since you don’t have to bake it.
8 oz. elbow macaroni or small cut pasta shape of your choice (I used campanelle)
2 tablespoons butter
2.5 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
2 cups shredded cheese of your choice (I used sharp cheddar and Parmesan)
1/2 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and blend thoroughly. Continue cooking and stirring for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and add milk, stirring thoroughly. Place over medium high heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium after the mixture reaches a boil. Add cheese and melt throroughly. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix pasta into cheese sauce. Season with additional salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Makes 4-6 servings.
Apple Cider Slaw
½ package bagged shredded coleslaw cabbage mix
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
I would recommend adding a little of the oil and vinegar to the slaw at a time until you get the balance you prefer on the dressing. You can add a little extra zing by adding a couple tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro if you like it.
