Macaroni And Cheese For Grown-ups

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 6 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/8 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 lb ditalini or 1 lb shell macaroni
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk or 2 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 4 -6 ounces freshly grated cheese, your choice but i like smoked gouda, swiss, chedder and munster
• 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs, flakes
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• 2 put the water, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and oil in a large heavy saucepan over high heat to boil. add the pasta and cook stiring occasionally until tender, about 8 minutes.
• 3 in a small heavy saucepan melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. whisk in the flour and cook stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
• 4 slowly add the milk, whisking constantly.
• 5 add the remaining salt and pepper and continue whisking until the sauce is smooth and thick enough to coat the whisk; about 8 minutes.
• 6 remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the cheese(s). continue stiring until smooth and melted.
• 7 in the microwave melt the remaining butter and mix with panko. add the parsley. set aside.
• 8 lightly butter a 1.5 quart casserole or 4- 15 oz. rammikins.
• 9 combine chesse sauce and macaroni in casserole mixing well.
• 10 top with panko and bake in 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until brown on top.
• 11 remove and enjoy.