Uber-Braten Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Casserole
8 ounces wide noodles
1 (14-oz.) pkg. Kielbasa or smoked sausage
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
3 cups milk
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups sauerkraut, drained
4 Tablespoons plain dried bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons melted butter
1.) Grease the inside of a 2-1/2 to 3-quart casserole baking dish; set baking dish aside.
2.) Cook egg noodles as per directions on package; set aside.
3.) Cut Kielbasa or smoked sausage into chunks, then cut each chunk in half; set aside.
4.) Melt the 1/3 cup of butter in a large saucepan. (I used a 3-quart saucepan.)
5.) Stir in the flour, garlic power, onion powder, and mustard.
6.) When mixture is well combined, gradually add the milk. Bring mixture to a boil for 1 minute; stirring constantly until the sauce has thickened. (Mine started to thicken in less than a minute.)
7.) Add the cup of cheese to the pan, stir until melted.
8.) Add the Kielbasa or smoked sausage, the drained sauerkraut to the pan, and stir.
9.) Pour mixture into the greased baking dish, then stir in the precooked noodles.
10.) Top the casserole with a mixture of 4 tablespoons of bread crumbs mixed with 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
11.) Bake casserole (uncovered) for 25 minutes in a 375ΒΊF oven.
12.) Yields: 5 servings
13.) Note: When preparing this casserole, you can use Bavarian Sauerkraut in place of regular sauerkraut. Plus, the original recipe states to use 2 cups of the kraut, but I just use 1-1/2 cups. Also, you can use smoked sausage in place of the Kielbasa. I used smoked sausage, and the brand of sausage I used was, Eckrich.