CALIFORNIA MACARONI AND CHEESE

California Macaroni and Cheese image

Provided by peachez

Categories Cheese

Time 45m

Yield 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup unsalted butter, divided into 1/4 cups
1 medium onion
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or your favourite thickener)
2 cups milk, warmed
2 cups half-and-half, warmed
3 tablespoons honey mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 1/2 cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided,3 1/2 cups and 1 cup (or any combination of your favourite cheeses)
kosher salt
fresh pepper
cayenne pepper
1 lb macaroni, cooked and drained
1 1/3 cups seasoned dry bread crumbs or 1 1/3 cups fresh breadcrumbs

Steps:

Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, add onion.
Saute 3 minutes Stir in flour, stirring for 3 minutes.
Whisk in milk and half and half, stirring and cooking until slightly thickened about 6 minutes.
Stir in mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
Remove from heat.
Stir in 3 1/2 cups cheese until melted.
Season with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.
Place half of cooked macaroni into baking dish, pour in half of sauce, mixing well Add rest of macaroni, mixing remaining sauce in.
Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese.
Bake for approx 20 minutes.
Melt the remaining 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add breadcrumbs stirring till lightly toasted.
Remove dish from oven.
Sprinkle crumbs on top.
Broil until crumbs are golden brown about 1 minute or so.
Remove from oven and serve.