Absolutely the Best Baked Mac and Cheese

Aimchick's Note:

This is GOOD--trust me! Tastes like a million bucks--maybe 2 million. I like to use cavatappi pasta (double elbows) because they are long and squiggly so they hold a lot of the sauce.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 cups small elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 pinch ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups fat-free half-and-half, heated
• 4 cups grated 70% cabot light cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup buttered bread crumb

Directions:

1. Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions.
2. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Butter a baking dish or coat with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
3. In large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Sprinkle flour into butter and whisk constantly until you have thick, smooth paste, about 5 minutes.
4. Add mustard, red pepper and Worcestershire. Gradually whisk in milk and continue stirring until sauce thickens and returns to simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low. Add 3 cups of cheese and stir until melted. Add macaroni, stirring until well coated. Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over top, followed by crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden on top.

Reviews

[queenbee56]

Liked the idea of dry mustard/cayenne/worcestershire, so I tried this and experimented a bit. Replaced 2 C of cheddar with fontina/gruyere and used 1 C rice milk and 1 C half & half. Turned out rich and creamy. Think I'd add green scallions to add some bite - otherwise, really good comfort food with a simple green salad on the side - yummy!