Cheesy Cheez-It Mac & Cheese

This is so yummy! I thought I was gonna burst eatin' it all up. It's just a little spin on the same old Mac that I came up with and it's a winner in my boys' book! Try it and tell me what ya think!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 3  cups  uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2  cups milk
• 16  ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 2  cups  Cheez-It crackers, crushed

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat; whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute or until mixture is smooth. Increase heat to medium; gradually whisk in 2 cups milk, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. Remove pan from heat.
3. Stir pasta, and ground black pepper into cheese mixture; spoon into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Spread crushed Cheez-it crackers on top.
4. Bake uncovered at 375°F for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.