Baked Macaroni Cheese
Ingredients:
3 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. mustard powder
1 tsp. cayenne powder
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
200 grams elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups aged cheddar, grated (I like white & orange)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
salt & fresh cracked black pepper
olive oil
3 tbsp. butter
1 cup fine bread crumbs
Prep:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Cook your pasta according to directions, but undercook by a minute or two. Once baked, the pasta will be cooked perfectly.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and add in the flour, mustard powder and cayenne. Whisk continously for 3-5 minutes and until mixture is smooth. Add in the milk and cream and bring to slow simmer. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper.
In a mixing bowl, add and mix the cheese varieties together. Add half to the hot milk mixture and combine well.
Drain pasta and add in with cheese/milk mixture, combining until pasta is well coated.
Butter all sides of casserole dish or individual ramekins and add in the pasta mixture. Top with remaining cheese.
Using a saute pan, melt the butter and fold in the bread crumbs until mixed well. Sprinkle on top of the cheese and put on a baking tray and into the oven.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until browned and bubbling.
Remove and let rest five minutes before serving.
