Baked Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) package processed American cheese, cut into strips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk, salt, mustard and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture boils and thickens.
3. Meanwhile, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
4. To the milk mixture add the Cheddar and American cheeses; stir until cheese melts. Combine macaroni and cheese sauce in a 2 quart baking dish; mix well.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. 

Notes: we like to use cavatappi pasta instead of elbows, and sometimes add cut up hot dogs (or turkey dogs) and sprinkle breadcrumbs on top. 

Contributed by: Heather Vataha  
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