Bea S Favorite Mac And Cheese Recipe

Ingredients for Bea S Favorite Mac And Cheese

• Fusilli
• 6 tablespoons butter
• All Purpose Flour
• Mustard Powder
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1 bay leaf
• Sweet Paprika
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Old Cheddar Cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Panko Breadcrumbs

How to Make Bea S Favorite Mac And Cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
3. While pasta cooks, melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
4. Whisk in flour and mustard, cooking for 5 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
5. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Add green onions, bay leaf, and paprika.
6. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf.
7. Temper the egg by slowly whisking a small amount of the hot cheese sauce into the beaten egg. Then pour the egg mixture into the saucepan and stir constantly for 1 minute.
8. Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
9. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
10. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir to combine. Add a little reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
11. Pour pasta mixture into a buttered 2-quart casserole dish.
12. Top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
13. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add bread crumbs and toss to coat. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese topping.
14. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
15. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!