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.
What is it?
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.
What’s in it?
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 perfect 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.
Sausage Macaroni 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
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 ½ 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.
Nutrition
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!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
This is such a fab fall dinner! I love apples in everything yay
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks for the comments!
Christie Campbell says
My dad would LOVE this! He always put cheddar on his apple pie. And, well, cheese and sausage is a much. Looks delicious!
Dan from Platter Talk says
I hope you make this for him soon!
Rylee says
That’s the best mac&cheese I’ve ever tasted!
Got a chance to make some today and my family are still swooning!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks so much, Rylee. This is definitely a fall showstopper of a dish!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
This sounds SO flavorful. Perfect for fall!
Tara says
Such a wonderful autumn mac and cheese! Love the use of the apples and apple cider. Sounds like some amazing flavors.
Debi at Life Currents says
What a lovely fall meal! Of course, everyone loves mac & cheese, but then you upped it with the sausage and the apples. A little sweet, a little savory. All yummy!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
What a wonderful combo – the flavours and textures sound rather interesting! Perfect for the season!
Justine says
what a wonderful autumn dish!
Just Jo says
At first I was like, whoa, that’s a crazy combination of flavours but reading the post and thinking it through, this makes total sense! You can buy really good pork and apple sausages here, some may even have a bit cider in them too. And cheese makes sense with everything lol. What a great, different recipe to add to the week night repetoire – thank you!
Dahn@savor the best says
wow what a twist on mac and cheese, I am curious to try it
Jenny | Honey and Birch says
Apples, sausage and cheese is such a delicious combination! I need to eat it more often 😉
Debra C. says
Sounds just amazing, I love this flavor combination. Mac & Cheese is always a treat and mixing it up sounds terrific!
Julie says
Who doesn’t like a good mac and cheese. This dish sounds delicious and will be perfect comfort food on our chilly day.
Kim @ Three Olives Branch says
This sounds like fall in a dish! My hubby would absolutely love it, it combines so many of his favorite things!
The Food Hunter says
What a wonderful recipe. I can’t wait to try it.
Amanda says
This looks terrific. It would be perfect to take to a pot-luck supper!
Cricket Plunkett says
This looks absolutely amazing, perfect for fall. Love that you added apples!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The apple cider is a phenomenal addition!
Shumaila says
Yum! This looks great!
Chris says
Made this for a deeeeeeelicious comfort food dinner in this election night! Love this stuff!
Dan from Platter Talk says
Thanks for giving this a try, Chris, and thanks especially for the great comments. So happy you enjoyed this!
Jenni says
Yum! I love that you used apples and apple cider in here! That works so well with cheddar cheese, I bet this is awesome!
Kushi says
This looks super delicious
Veena says
I love comfort food.. and love apple cider addition. Thanks
Sarah says
I’m loving ALL of the flavors in this…completely intrigued and need to try it ASAP!!
Evi Aki says
Nice way to spruce up the normal mac and cheese!
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
I can take mac and cheese any day. I wonder how it taste with apple cider. Must be good:)
Mark, Compass & Fork says
Nice spin on the traditional mac and cheese. I like those ingredients you are using. Nice job.
GiGi Eats says
What an insanely interesting combo!
Lisa | Garlic + Zest says
Comfort food at its finest!
Ludmilla says
I have made a very similar recipe and I am so glad that you used apple cider. Do not use just any apple juice. I find most apple juices are way to sweet to begin with. Do not use the common, super clear sugar water. I use all-natural, no sugar added apple juice.