Kielbasa and Apple Pasta Bake

TasteTester's Note:

This is especially good to make when apples are in season and at the peak of their flavor, and it features a favorite food pairing: sweet-tart apples with cheddar cheese.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• nonstick cooking spray
• 8 ounces dried rigatoni pasta or 8 ounces penne pasta
• 2 cups milk (not fat-free)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup shredded cheese (4 ounces)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
• 3 medium fuji or jonathan apples , cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (you want a fine-grained apple in order to avoid the apples getting too mushy when cooked)
• 8 ounces cooked kielbasa , halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 medium green onion , thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 2-quart baking dish or casserole with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions in a large saucepan. Drain and return to saucepan; set aside.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan whisk together milk and flour. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Remove from heat. Stir 1/2 cup of cheese, salt and hot pepper sauce into the milk mixture until smooth.
4. In the large saucepan toss together the cooked pasta, apples, kielbasa and cheese sauce. Transfer to prepared baking dish; cover with foil.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes. Uncover and carefully stir pasta mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and the green onion. Bake 10-15 minuted more or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Reviews

[PaulaG]

This recipe has a wonderful combination of flavors that are perfect for autumn. I made the recipe gluten free by using brown rice pasta and potato starch as a thickener in place of the flour. A touch of white pepper was added to the sauce and the hot sauce omitted. The apples were still firm and provided a nice contrast in texture. I think I used a touch more cheese than the recipe called for. This was served with a tossed salad for a complete meal.

[brigs03]

It just didn't have enough flavor for me

[903272]

I used turkey kielbasa, 2 Jonathan apples, and spinach rotini pasta. I also omitted the hot sauce and final 1/2 cup shredded cheese; it wasn't needed. This lovely pasta dish was perfect for a chilly autumn night.