# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta
01 - 10 ounces penne or fusilli pasta
→ Meats
02 - 9 ounces smoked sausage (kielbasa), sliced into ½-inch rounds
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Cheese Sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 - 1 ⅔ cups whole milk
09 - 7 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
10 - 1.8 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Topping
14 - 1.8 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 2-quart baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
03 - Heat skillet over medium heat, cook smoked sausage slices for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly browned, then remove and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, sauté onion and bell pepper for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
05 - Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add milk, whisking continuously until sauce thickens, about 3 to 4 minutes.
06 - Lower heat and stir in cheddar, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until cheese melts, then remove from heat.
07 - In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, sausage, sautéed vegetables, and cheese sauce thoroughly.
08 - Transfer mixture into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining grated cheddar cheese.
09 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until top is golden and bubbling.
10 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
