Mom's Baked Mac and Cheese

This is a recipe that my grandmother found years ago. My mother tweaked it and it's definitely a comfort food classic in my household. I personally prefer extra-sharp Cracker Barrel but use whatever cheddar you prefer.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper
• 2 1⁄2 cups milk
• 10  ounces cheddar cheese
• 2  cups elbow macaroni
• 1 -2  cup  Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Shred the cheddar cheese or chop into very small cubes. *Shredded cheese will melt faster than cubed cheese, but it's also messier and takes longer to do. It's up to you.*.
3. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add flour, salt and pepper off of the heat. Gradually add the milk and stir continuously for about 10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
4. Add cheese and melt.
5. Meanwhile, boil the macaroni for about 5 minutes. Pour macaroni into a glass casserole dish and then pour cheese sauce over. Stir until macaroni is coated.
6. Sift bread crumbs over the top of the macaroni.
7. Bake about 30 minutes or until the bread crumb crust is crispy.