Perfect Macaroni and Cheese

[mos]

Perfect Macaroni and Cheese
8-oz macaroni
4 tbs butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 cup half-and-half or light cream
1 cup milk
1 tsp Dijon mustard or a spicy brown mustard
2 1/2 to 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup soft bread crumbs, tossed with 1 1/2 tbs melted butter
Heat oven to 375°. Grease a 2-qt baking dish.
Cook macaroni in boiling salted water following package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse with hot water.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth and bubbly. Continue cooking and stirring for 1 min. Add the salt, pepper, cream, and milk and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Add mustard and 2 cups of the cheese.
Continue cooking, stirring, until cheese is melted.
Combine the sauce mixture with the drained macaroni. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining 1/2 to 1 cup of shredded cheese.
Scatter the buttered bread crumbs evenly over the cheese layer.
Bake for about 25 min, until lightly browned and bubbly.
Serves 4 to 6.

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