Apple Mac & Cheese with Bratwurst

Erik
Jan 2, 2021
2 min read

This is a great recipe that I discovered thanks to Rachael Ray. Apple Mac & Cheese combines the delicious flavor of a Apple Pie combined with creamy Macaroni & Cheese. Add some Bratwursts and Sauerkraut and you have a tasty meal your whole family will enjoy!

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter

1 small onion, chopped

3 small crisp apples or 2 medium-large, peeled  and  chopped

1 bay leaf

About 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground clove or pumpkin spice

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or smoked cinnamon

1 teaspoon grated lemon or orange zest

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped 

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

3 tablespoons flour

1/2 cup cider

1 cup chicken or vegetable stock

2 cups half 'n' half

Salt  and  white pepper or fine black pepper

1 pound macaroni or short-cut pasta of choice

3 cups grated cheddar, white or yellow 

1 1/2 cups crushed white or yellow cheddar crackers

One handful parsley, chopped 

About 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano  cheese

Heat a large pot of water for the pasta to boil. Preheat oven to 400˚F with rack at center.

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat with butter, add onions, apples and bay, season with nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, zest, thyme and brown sugar, soften 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently. Sprinkle flour over top and stir a minute, whisk in cider, stock and half and half, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a bubble and thicken sauce to coat back of spoon in thin layer, 6 to 7 minutes at low bubble over medium-low simmer.

Cook pasta in salted water about 6 minutes, then drain. Stir cheese into sauce a few handfuls at a time. Mix pasta with sauce and apples and place in casserole dish.