Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 3 cups cheddar cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. 2

   In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups of elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.

3. 3

   In the same pot, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes to create a roux.

4. 4

   Gradually pour in 2 cups of milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue to cook for about 5-7 minutes until the mixture thickens.

5. 5

   Reduce heat to low and stir in 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon of mustard powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

6. 6

   Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well to combine.

7. 7

   In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of bread crumbs with 1 teaspoon of paprika and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.

8. 8

   Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top.

9. 9

   Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

10. 10

    Remove from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.