Kielbasa and Apple Pasta Bake

Ingredients

• nonstick cooking spray
• 8 ounces dried rigatoni pasta or penne pasta
• 2 cups milk (not fat-free)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup shredded cheese (4 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 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. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 2-quart baking dish or casserole with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

2. 2

   Cook pasta according to package directions in a large saucepan. Drain and return to saucepan; set aside.

3. 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. 4

   In the large saucepan toss together the cooked pasta, apples, kielbasa and cheese sauce. Transfer to prepared baking dish; cover with foil.

5. 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.