Cheesy Sausage Bake

This is something I would make for a potluck, or a chilly rainy day!

Cheesy Sausage Bake
Ingredients
1 (12-ounce) package sausage patties
4 cups water
1 (16-ounce) package light processed bar cheese
2 1/2 cups elbow macaroni
20 reduced fat buttery-taste crackers
large zip-top bag
salt and pepper, to taste

Steps
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Preheat large saucepan on medium-high for 2-3 minutes.
3. Place sausage in pan and cook 7-9 minutes, stirring frequently until sausage is brown, breaking meat up as it cooks. Drain meat (if needed) and return to pan.
4. Add water to sausage, increase heat to high and bring to boil.
5. Open cheese and cut into 1-inch cubes. Set aside.
6. When water boils, add pasta and return to boil. Boil 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Place crackers in zip-top bag and crush to make about 1 cup.
8. Add 2-3 cubes of cheese at a time to sausage and pasta mixture, stirring until melted and well blended.
9. Pour into 8-inch square baking dish. Top with crushed crackers.
10. Bake 12-15 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Season with salt and pepper. Serve. (Makes 6 servings.)