Upside Down Mac & Cheese w/Smoked Kielbasa

By Kim Biegacki
@pistachyoo

My 4th recipe cooking in the Ninja & is one amazing cheezy, crusty and delicious mac & cheese. This is one of those comfort food dishes that is necessary when you are wanting to indulge a little. I did make some additions & combine my favorite cheeses because there are times when mac & cheese just soothes the soul and is so satisfying for a meal. I made this up for my nephews who spent the weekend and still there was plenty left over I sent a container home with them for the next day.

A crunchy green salad w/Italian dressing would pair well.

Recipe from Ninja Cooking System Cookbook.

Rating:

★★★★★ 3 votes

Comments:

10 Comments

Serves:

10 - 12

Prep:

15 Min

Cook:

20 Min

Method:

Slow Cooker Crock Pot

Ingredients

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4 c: water
1 lb: uncooked macaroni
3/4 c: butter
6 Tbsp: all purpose flour
5 c: whole milk (i used 2 percent)
6 3/4 c: shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese (i used a mixture & only 5 cups)
1/2 c: grated romano & parmesan cheese
: salt and pepper
1 1/2 c: bread crumbs, dry
: cooking spray
: frank's hot sauce
: smoked kielbasa and bacon bits (on top)

How to Make Upside Down Mac & Cheese w/Smoked Kielbasa

Step-by-Step

1Ninja Cooking System -- ninjacooking.ninjakitchen.com
2Pour water into Ninja pot. Set to STOVETOP HIGH. Cover and let water quickly come to a boil. Add your macaroni and cook for 7 - 9 minutes, stirring occasionaly and just till tender. Drain macaroni and reserve one cup of cooking water.
3Add 1/2 cup butter into the Ninja pot. Set to STOVETOP MED and heat till butter is melted. Stir in flour and stir continually for 3 minutes. Add your milk and whisk together. Heat till it comes to a boil and cook uncovered for 3 minutes or until the mixture is thickened. If necessary, add more flour to thicken to desired consistency. Next stir in the 6 cups of cheese, salt and pepper until cheeses are melted. Turn off Ninja.
4In a large bowl add the macaroni's, cooking water and cheese mixture till well combined. Wipe clean the Ninja with a paper towel. In a small cooking pan melt 1/4 cup butter. In a small bowl add bread crumbs, 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 romano & parmesan with the butter.
5Spray Ninja inside with cooking spray. Press the bread crumb mixture onto the bottom and slightly up the side of the pot. Pour the cheesy macaroni into the pot. (I added sliced smoked kielbasa and bacon bits to top). Set oven to 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cook till golden brown on bottom.
6When ready to serve invert pot into a bowl or plate.
7Don't forget to top off the mac & cheese with some Frank's Hot Sauce.
8Christmas Day 12-25-14 --- Made this to go with our Christmas meal.