Macaroni and Cheese With Crumb Topping

This is a different Macaroni and Cheese recipe. Some of the recipe can be made 1 day ahead. Great for pot luck. The recipe comes from Bon Appetit.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups  fresh breadcrumbs, made from crustless french bread
• 3⁄4 cup  freshly grated asiago cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces)
• 1  teaspoon sweet paprika
• 8  tablespoons butter, divided
• 6  tablespoons flour
• 6  cups  whole milk
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1  teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4  cups  grated white cheddar cheese (about 1 pound)
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley
• 1  lb macaroni

Directions

1. Mix bread crumbs, Asiago cheese, and paprika in a medium bowl.
2. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat.
3. Add flour and stir 3 minutes.
4. Gradually whisk in milk, then mustard and pepper.
5. Cook until thickened, stirring often, about 10 minutes.
6. Mix in cheese and parsley.
7. Cool sauce slightly.
8. (Topping and sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Rewarm sauce, stirring frequently and thinning with milk if necessary, before continuing). Preheat oven to 400°F.
9. Butter 15 x 10 x 2-inch Glass baking dish.
10. Cook Macaroni in pot of boiling salted water until just tender BUT still firm to bite, stirring occasionally.
11. Drain Macaroni.
12. Return macaroni to pot; mix in sauce.
13. Season to taste with salt.
14. Transfer mixture to prepared dish.
15. Sprinkle with topping and dot with remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
16. Bake until cheese is bubbling and crumbs are brown, about 40 minutes.
17. Cool slightly and serve.