Kielbasa Mac & Cheese with a Cucumber Salad

by Reuvenisms

4 Comments

  1. Reuvenisms

    Kielbasa Mac and Cheese with Cucumber Salad

    Serves 2–3

    Ingredients

    Kielbasa

    * 12–14 oz kielbasa, sliced

    * 1 tsp olive oil

    * 1 tsp salted butter

    * 2 Tbsp chicken broth

    * 1 tsp smooth Dijon mustard

    * Black pepper

    Mac and Cheese

    * 8 oz pasta (elbow, shells, or rigatoni)

    * 2 Tbsp salted butter

    * 2 Tbsp flour

    * 2 cups warm whole milk

    * 8 oz Boar’s Head Yellow American cheese, thick-sliced and cubed or torn

    * 1 tsp ground mustard powder

    * 1 Tbsp butter (finish)

    * 1/8 tsp cayenne

    * Salt and black pepper

    Breadcrumb Garnish

    * 6 Ritz crackers, crushed

    * 1 Tbsp butter

    * 1/2 tsp lemon zest

    * Pinch garlic powder

    * Pinch smoked paprika

    * Pinch salt

    Cucumber Salad

    * 3–4 mini cucumbers, thinly sliced

    * 1 1/2 Tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar

    * 1/2 tsp sugar

    * Pinch salt

    * 1/2 tsp lemon zest

    * 1 Tbsp chopped dill

    Garnish

    * 1 Tbsp snipped chives

    Instructions

    1. Cucumber Salad
    Whisk 1 1/2 Tbsp rice vinegar, 1/2 tsp sugar, pinch of salt, and 1/2 tsp lemon zest. Toss with 3–4 sliced mini cucumbers and 1 Tbsp chopped dill. Chill.

    2. Breadcrumbs
    Melt 1 Tbsp butter in a pan. Add 6 crushed Ritz crackers, pinch of garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Toast over medium heat until golden. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then stir in 1/2 tsp lemon zest. Set aside uncovered until serving.

    3. Kielbasa
    Sear 12–14 oz sliced kielbasa in 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp butter over medium-high heat, 2–3 min per side. Add 2 Tbsp chicken broth and 1 tsp smooth Dijon. Toss to glaze. Finish with black pepper. Transfer to a bowl, cover with foil, and keep warm near the stovetop.

    4. Pasta
    Boil 8 oz pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.

    5. Cheese Sauce
    Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a saucepan. Stir in 2 Tbsp flour and 1 tsp ground mustard powder. Cook 1 min. Slowly whisk in 2 cups warm milk. Simmer until thick, about 3–4 min. Stir in 8 oz cubed Boar’s Head Yellow American cheese in batches until smooth. Off heat, stir in 1 Tbsp butter, 1/8 tsp cayenne, salt, and pepper. Add pasta, loosen with reserved water if needed.

    6. Plate
    Spoon mac into bowls. Top with breadcrumbs and 1 Tbsp snipped chives. Add kielbasa over top. Serve with cucumber salad on the side.

  2. ChefWithASword

    Aesthetically pleasing ✅

    Semi-healthy ✅

    I’ll give it a go. Just have to find that sausage.

  3. Manuntdfan

    Your mac and cheese to other foods ratio is correct

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