One Cheesy Summer

In the United States of America, we celebrate our independance from the English on July Fourth every year. For some people this holiday is an excuse to participate in revelries, for others they take it more literally and use it as an excuse to put their National Pride on full display. But for an enthusiastic majority, The fourth means one thing: Fireworks.

While it would be easy to wax poetic for pages about the profound alchemical beauty of pyrotechnics and jubilation, I would prefer instead to speak on a different kind of Fireworks, and no I do not mean the kind that occur between people experiencing a romantic connection, but instead the emotional journey that your mind, body, and spirit are lead on when your palate comes in contact with culinary ordinance of the highest caliber. Many I'm sure would assume this refers to the collective experience of the American Barbeque. I instead would like to introduce you, Dear Reader to an ambitious undertaking I have lovingly named "Loaded Polish Baked Macaroni and Cheese". I am also working on a Mashed Potato variant but that is for another time!
If you own anything Cast Iron, or other Oven-Safe Stovetop hardware, this has the potential of being a one pan dish, otherwise expect to get messy!

As we experience the dish together, I will do my best to include a walkthrough of the recipe as well. I should clarify upfront however that this recipe is Malleable and can be adjusted for both personal taste as well as quantity required, so Measurements are not concrete.

For the purposes of this example we will assume you are cooking for guests, so this should feed approximately 8-10 human people. You will need:

4 pounds Macaroni of your Choice (weighed Dry)
4 Pounds of a Blend of Cheeses of your Choice (I used Cheddar, Provologne, and Mozzarrella)
2 Pounds Bacon
2 Full Links(The Horseshoe kind, you know the ones) of Polish Kielbasa chopped to preference
2 Sticks Butter
1 ½ Cup whole Milk
4 oz+ of Hot Sauce
1 Tbspn Garlic Powder
½ Tbspn Black Pepper
½ Tbspn Salt
Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs

First, as with any pasta dish, boil and strain your Macaroni and set it aside until you need it for incorporation.
In the pot or pan you intend to combine your ingredients in, fry your Bacon until Crispy and remove it but keep the fat in, setting the bacon aside to drain.
Add your kielbasa to the vessel to get a light sear on the meat.
This is where it gets a little crazy, add your Macaroni back in with the sausage, and while mixing constantly, add each of the ingredients one by one, starting with your dry seasonings, saving only the Breading and the Bacon, which at this point we crush into bacon bits and mix into the breadcrumbs.
Ideally you will mix a small amount of a shredded cheese of your choice into this topping mix to create a cohesive topping that will crisp nicely.
Once your Macaroni is sufficiently cheesed and enhanced with protein, if you are using an oven safe pan, apply your topping and bake at 325 until golden brown. If your Stovetop Ark cannot brave the scorching bowels of the oven, transfer your concoction into an appropriate vessel, top and bake as noted above.
Serve Hot but not Scalding.

Upon consumption, while originally intended as a clever twist on a side dish, it becomes something more. Able to be a side or the main course, this Casserole Killer is HEAVY, only the mightiest returning for a second full plate. The Savory Meats balance out the Creamy Richness of the Macaroni, which deftly counters with its spicy secret, all coming together under a mericulousky formed crust, like a Tent Hiding a Culinary Carnival taking your tastebuds on a whirlwind adventure you wont soon forget.

At the end of the day, thats what cooking should always be about. Taking a dish that you love, and putting your own spin on it! And then subjecting….I mean sharing…. Your creations with your Friends and Family.