Tasty Tuesday-Baked Macaroni & cheese

Homemade Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients:

• Pasta:
• 8oz. elbow pasta
• 1tbsp. unsalted butter
• Topping:
• 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/4 tsp salt
• Sauce:
• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 3 cups warmed milk

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• Seasonings:
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder.
• 
  
• Instructions:
1. Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add macaroni and cook per packet directions.
2. Drain, return pasta to pot, add butter and toss until melted. Set aside to cool while making the sauce.
3. Topping: Mix together topping. Set aside.
4. Preheat oven to 350F.
5. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. 
6. Add about 1 cup of the milk and mix with a whisk to dissolve the paste into the milk. Then add remaining milk and mix until lump free.
7. Mix in salt and seasonings.
8. Cook, whisking regularly, for 5 to 8 minutes until thickened to a cream consistency.
9. Remove from stove, add cheese and stir - cheese doesn't need to melt. 
10. Adjust salt to taste. 
11. Pour sauce into pot with macaroni. Stir quickly, then pour back into the baking dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumb topping.
12. Bake for 25 minutes or until top is light golden. 
13. Sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy!