Baked Macaroni and Cheese
 
 
Category: Main Dish
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 12 oz pasta shapes (I love cavatappi, because it makes me feel cava-classy)
  • ¼ cup (4 Tbsp) unsalted butter
  • ½ a small onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup (4 Tbsp) all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp mustard powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 3 cups skim milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 12 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and boil for about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for about a minute.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low and add flour, mustard powder, paprika and cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for about five minutes.
  5. Pour in milk and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for about ten minutes, stirring frequently. Mixture will thicken to a gravy-like consistency and should coat the back of a spoon.
  6. While the mixture is simmering, crack the egg into a small bowl. Remove about 2 tablespoons of the simmering sauce and slowly drizzle into the bowl with the egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the egg. Pour mixture into the simmering sauce and whisk to incorporate.
  7. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Stir in cooked pasta. Pour into an 8x8 square baking dish or a 2-quart casserole dish.
  8. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan. Add breadcrumbs and stir until coated. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top of macaroni and cover with foil.
  9. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until bubbling and breadcrumbs are browned. Serve hot.
Recipe by Baked In at https://www.baked-in.com/2012/06/03/baked-macaroni-and-cheese/