Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients
½ lb. elbow or similar macaroni
12 oz. sharp or extra-sharp cheddar cheese (or similar), shredded
2+ Tbsp. flour
2 Tbsp. butter
½ – 1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
2½ cups milk
¼ cup Bread crumbs
2 Tbsp butter, melted

Directions
– Put water on to boil for macaroni
– Cook macaroni until almost done (7+ minutes)
– Make basic white sauce with flour, butter, salt, and milk
– On low to low-medium heat, melt butter in saucepan
– When hot, slowly mix in flour, salt, and pepper stirring constantly until smooth
– Remove from heat
– Slowly mix in milk, stirring constantly to blend
– Place back on low heat
– Bring to simmer stirring slowly and constantly until thickened
– Remove from heat
– Slowly stir in shredded cheese, stirring until melted
– Drain macaroni and place in greased 2-quart casserole dish
– Pour cheese sauce over macaroni and mix together well
– Mix bread crumbs together with melted butter until dry/crumbly
– Sprinkle buttered bread crumbs over top of macaroni and cheese
– Bake at 350°F-375°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and edges are lightly browned/golden

by Susan Blumenthal