belly buster

Recipe by
Cindi Marie Bauer
Marshfield, WI

I happen to come across this delicious hearty main dish recipe at food.com, which Derf had submitted the recipe. I did however, modify the recipe to my liking. This definitely is one tasty main dish!

yield 5 - 6
method Bake

Ingredients For belly buster

  • 1 (lb.)
    mild italian sausage
  • 1/4 cup
    diced onion
  • 1-1/2 tsp.
    jarred minced garlic
  • 1 can
    (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can
    (14.5 oz.) del monte diced tomatoes with garlic & onion
  • 1 can
    (10-3/4 oz.) campbell's cheddar cheese soup
  • 2 cups
    shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 12 ounces
    (uncooked) elbow macaroni

How To Make belly buster

  • 1
    Grease a large casserole baking dish, then set baking dish aside. (I used a 4-quart oval baking dish for this recipe.)
  • 2
    In a skillet, brown the sausage along with the onion, until the sausage is cooked half-way through, then add the garlic, and continue cooking until the sausage is completely cooked through. Place in colander to drain off any excess grease.
  • 3
    While the sausage is draining in the colander, start cooking the macaroni, and until it's al dente' (about 10 minutes). I do add a bit of vegetable oil to the pot of water before it comes to a boil.
  • 4
    While the macaroni is cooking, I add the cooked sausage back to the skillet, and over a low flame, then I add both cans of diced tomatoes, and the can of cheddar cheese soup. Stir until the soup is incorporated, then add in 1 cup of the shredded cheese, and stir till it's almost mixed in, but not completely melted in.
  • 5
    Once the macaroni is done cooking, and has been thoroughly drained in the colander, add it and the sausage/tomato/cheese mixture to the prepared casserole baking dish; gently stir till all ingredients are mixed together.
  • 6
    Top the casserole with the remaining cup of shredded cheese, then bake it (uncovered) in a 400º oven for 30 minutes.
  • 7
    Remove from oven, and serve immediately.
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