Baked Macaroni and Gouda Cheese With Italian Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 lb macaroni
• 1 1/2 lbs sweet Italian sausage, uncooked with casings removed
• 1 1/2 cups onions, caramelized
• 1 quart whole milk
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 3/4 lb gouda cheese, aged preferred (about 4 cups grated)
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350º.

2. 2

   In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, about 11 minutes (or as directed on package).

3. 3

   Meanwhile, heat a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat.

4. 4

   Add the sausage and cook, stirring and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes.

5. 5

   Transfer the sausage to a large bowl and wipe the saucepan clean.

6. 6

   Add the pasta and 1 cup caramelized onions to the sausage and stir to combine.

7. 7

   In a medium saucepan or a microwave oven, heat the milk until steaming.

8. 8

   Return the large saucepan to the stove, add the butter and melt over medium heat.

9. 9

   Add the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 3 minutes.

10. 10

    Whisk in the hot milk, 1/4 cup at a time, and continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and thick and comes to a simmer.

11. 11

    Add 2 1/2 cups cheese, remove from the heat and whisk until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes; season to taste with salt and pepper.

12. 12

    Add the cheese sauce to the pasta mixture and stir to combine.

13. 13

    Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and add the pasta mixture in an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup caramelized onions and 1 1/2 cups cheese on top.

14. 14

    Bake until golden and bubbling, about 40 minutes.

15. 15

    Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.