Apple & Sausage Mac and Cheese with Apple Cider is the ultimate fall dish. Fresh sage, apples, apple cider, and hearty cheese all combine for a savory dish that is the kiss of all things fall.
Sausage Mac and Cheese with Apple Cider showcases the best of fall flavors.
Apple & Sausage Mac and Cheese with Apple Cider
Once in a while I run across a recipe that I can’t get out of my mind. When I first ran across this dish from Saveur magazine, it immediately caught my eye. Mac and cheese is a favorite in our family of six boys. In fact, it is in all probability the thing they agree on most in this world.
Sausage, apples, cider, and sage all combine for an unforgettable fall meal.
This Apple & Sausage Mac and Cheese is the ultimate autumn comfort food dish. It’s like fall in an easy-to-make casserole dish, featuring these savory ingredients:
2 types of cheddar cheese, mild and extra sharp
Pork sausage
Apples
Fresh sage
Apple Cider
We used Granny Smith apples, in the hopes of their tartness balancing the sweet and savory cider and other ingredients. We weren’t disappointed in the results!
This Apple & Sausage Mac and Cheese is a snap to put together, making it a prefect weeknight meal.
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- Sauté Onion.
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- Add Sausage and brown.
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- Add diced apple and fresh sage to cook.
What really got my attention was the apple cider in this Apple & Sausage Mac and Cheese. It’s the perfect compliment to everything else and makes use of one of the greatest gifts of the fall season.
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- Fresh apple cider is the star of this Apple & Sausage Mac and Cheese.
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- Milk is added to the mix, just before the cheese.
You can put this entire recipe for Apple & Sausage Mac ‘n Cheese together, start to finish, in about an hour’s time.
The roux reduces slightly before going into the pasta.
I mentioned before that our family, our boys in particular, our huge fans of mac and cheese. This recipe for Apple & Sausage Mac and Cheese did not let me down, to this regard. Our whole family loves this fall version of an American classic. In fact, before table was clear there were boys asking me, “Dad, when can we have this again?” My response, “Soon, boys, very soon.”
Apple Cider makes for a perfect pairing to go along with this Apple & Sausage Mac and Cheese that also has fresh apple cider as an ingredient.
Apple & Sausage Mac and Cheese with Apple Cider
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion coarse dice
- 1 lb . bulk pork sausage
- 5-6 leaves of fresh sage minced
- 3-4 inch apples cored and cut into 1 pieces
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup mild cheddar cheese shredded, 8 oz.
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded, 8 oz.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lb . elbow macaroni or shells of your choosing.
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375°. Melt butter in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high; add onion and saute 2 minutes. Add the sausage and brown, using a wooden spoon to chop up and brown, about 10-12 minutes. Next, add apple and sage then cook about 5 more minute; add flour and then cook 2 more minutes. Add the cider and cook another 2 minutes, then add milk. Cook and stir occasionally, until thickened for about 8-10 minutes. Fold in half of the cheese, salt, and pepper making sure cheese completely melted.
- Prepare pasta as directed, using large pot of boiling water. Drain pasta, then return to large pot and stir in cheese mixture. Spread the pasta in a greased 9 x 13" casserole dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for about 45 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Carol says
Our family loves mac n’cheese and this recipe sounds interesting; however, can someone clarify for me some ingredients – 1 cup/3 all-purpose flour and 2 1 cups/2 milk. Is it supposed to be 1/3 cup flour and 2-1/2 cups milk?
Dan from Platter Talk says
We apologize for the confusion and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. The recipe has been correct to read 1/3 flour and 2 1/2 cups milk. We are in the process of changing our recipe formats and this one did not transfer properly. We hope you try this mac ‘n cheese and please let us know your thoughts!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
6 boys!! Wow, I bet pasta dishes are a necessity in your house! This sounds amazing– loving all the flavors.
Tiffany says
I never thought of combining apples with mac and cheese but this makes perfect sense with the sausage! It looks so seasonal and delicious.
Sarah says
Can’t say that I’d have ever thought to put apples into mac and cheese… Definitely need to try this for myself…
The Food Hunter says
I love the apples in this
Rylee says
Looks like dinner, folks! Yummy yum. Thanks for the idea.
Jennifer A Stewart says
I have always been a fan of cheddar and apples but the addition of sausage is making me drool even more!
Michaela Kenkel says
Apples and cheese just go together so nicely — I would have never thought to make Mac ‘n Cheese out of it!! BRILLIANT!
Michelle says
This sounds so perfect for fall…I love the flavor combination here!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
Love the freshness of the apple added to the dish! A great comforting dish
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much Bintu!
Sandra Shaffer says
Oh, I just love all the flavors in this dish. Comfort fall foods for a crowd are the best. Thanks!
Julie says
This is the dish to make for a crowd in the cold winter months.
Dan from Platter Talk says
Julie, big or small, your table is sure to love this!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
I have a mac n cheese recipe I am sharing this week, too– not as creative as this one!
Dan from Platter Talk says
We will be looking for it!