Baked Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• •1 lb elbow macaroni
• •4 tbsp butter, divided
• •1/4 cup flour
• •3 cups milk
• •1/4 tsp dry mustard
• •3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• •1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• •Salt to taste
• •Pepper to taste

Steps

1. 1.Cook the macaroni in salted boiling water for 1 minute less than package directions - it will keep cooking in the oven, and starting slightly underdone is what keeps it from turning mushy.
2. 2.Melt 3 tbsp of the butter in a saucepan and whisk in the flour, cooking for 1 minute.
3. 3.Gradually whisk in the milk and dry mustard, cooking until thickened.
4. 4.Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted, then toss with the macaroni.
5. 5.Transfer to a baking dish, toss the panko with the remaining 1 tbsp melted butter and scatter over the top, and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly - panko instead of the sauce alone is what gives the top real crunch.