Old Fashioned Elbow Mac & Cheese

I've not seen any recipe like this here. Mom used to make it, and it is divine comfort food; chunks of cheddar and a basic Béchamel sauce, topped with buttery bread crumbs, make for an amazing dish! **Béchamel sauce technique updated, thanks Noo for pointing out the error.**

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 2  cups macaroni
• 4  tablespoons butter
• 3  cups milk
• 5  tablespoons flour
•  salt and pepper
• 1 1⁄2 lbs cheddar cheese, medium and old, diced
• 1⁄2 cup  breadcrumbs
• 2  tablespoons butter, melted

Directions

1. Cook macaroni, drain.
2. Melt butter over medium heat, add flour and cook briefly while stirring, until slightly golden in colour. Meanwhile, heat milk in microwave or on stove in separate pot until warm.
3. Slowly add milk to flour and butter mixture; cook while whisking until sauce thickens. Add salt and pepper.
4. Put half the cooked macaroni in a 9x13 pan; layer half the cheese, and half the sauce. Repeat.
5. Top with breadcrumbs.
6. Sprinkle top with melted butter.
7. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 40 minutes, until bubbling in middle.