Everything but the Kitchen Sink Mac n' Cheese

This recipe is probably the oldest one in my book.  I remember making this at our very first apartment - the one on Penguin Ave.  Remember that place?  Lots of fun memories there! 

This dish is a great all-in-one.  It's got meat, veggies and cheese.  The best part is that it can be customized to your taste.  You can use spicy sausage, sweet sausage, both or whatever!  You can add the mushrooms or not.  You can use whatever cheese you have on hand.  I think you will like this one Laurie - it is a great weeknight meal and it's one the kids actually eat.  :)

Ingredients:
1 lb ziti, penne or cavatappi
1 lb ground sausage
2 tbl olive oil
1 tbl butter
3-4 garlic cloves minced
12 crimini mushrooms, sliced
2 tbl flour
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup cream
2 1/2 cup shredded cheese
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tsp tabasco (optional)
1/2 c parmesan


Preparation:
Cook the pasta to al dente in salty water.  Meanwhile, brown sausage is saute pan.  Drain cooked crumbles on a paper towel lined plate.  Return to oan to heat and add oil, butter, garlic and shrooms.  Season well with salt and pepper.  Sautee 3 to 5 minutes, until shrooms are lightly golden.

Preheat broiler to high.

To shrooms, add flour and stir.  Cook 2 minutes.  Whisk in stock, then stir in cream.  Bring cream to a bubble then stir in 2 cups of cheese.  When cheese has melted into sauce, add tomatoes.  When sauce comes to a bubble, remove from heat.  Combine cheese sauce with sausage and pasta - transfer to a baking dish or oven safe serving platter.  Top with remaining cheeses and brown under broiler.  That's it - how simple was that?

Enjoy yo!