Easy Sausage Macaroni

Ingredients

• 1 x 400g canned chopped tomatoes
• 1 x 400g pasta sauce (I used the one with basil and olives in the mix)
• 1 x clove crushed garlic clove
• 1/2 finely chopped onion
• 1 x medium red or green bell pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon mixed dried herbs
• about 8 basil leaves
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 sausages cooked and sliced (I used vegetarian sausage, use any type you prefer)
• 1/2 cup grated cheese
• 500 g macaroni boiled and drained
• TO MAKE THE WHITE SAUCE
• 250 ml milk
• 2 Tablespoon butter or margarine
• 2 Tablespoon all purpose / cake flour
• 1/4 cup grated cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon dried mixed herbs or finely chopped fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. 1

   Boil macaroni according to package instructions.

2. 2

   As soon as the pasta has finished cooking, strain out the water but do not rinse.

3. 3

   While the macaroni is cooking ,Fry the onions and peppers on medium heat until softened. Add in crushed garlic and mixed herbs and cook for about 1 minute

4. 4

   Empty in the can of chopped tomatoes, bottled pasta sauce and add in the chilli powder if using.

5. 5

   Cook until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sometimes bottled pasta sauce has added salt , so taste first and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.

6. 6

   Add in the cooked and sliced sausages.

7. 7

   Stir in the strained macaroni, coating it well into the sauce. Garnish with grated cheese and basil leaves.

8. 8

   TO MAKE THE WHITE SAUCE IF USING IN MACARONI

9. 9

   In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter or margarine. Add in mixed herbs or basil leaves and nutmeg if using.

10. 10

    Add flour and stir with a whisk until the butter and flour are well combined.

11. 11

    Pour in milk, stirring constantly as it thickens.Add more milk depending on desired consistency. Measure out salt and pepper to taste.

12. 12

    Stir in grated cheese until melted. Combine into the sausage macaroni if prefered.

13. 13

    Serve immediately. ( SEE NOTE 1)