MAC'N'CHEESE - BEST EVER

MAC'N'CHEESE - BEST EVER image

Yield 12-16 people

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1 tsp. melted butter
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup flour
5 cups milk
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
4 cups shredded mild cheddar -divided
3 cups shredded gruyere
1 lb shells or elbow macaroni
1/2 cup heavy cream

Steps:

1.heat over 350. toss panko crumbs with melted butter on small baking pan - toast bread crumbs 10 min. lightly brown set aside. 2.Lg. saucepan, heat butter med. heat, melt then stir in flour. heat & stir til mix. is smooth and bubbling - 2min. Remove from heat, wisk in milk. Add dry mustard and peppers, nutmeg, salt and bay leaf. Stir and heat til boiling-reduce to low and simmer 30 - remove bay leaf. 3. stir in 3 cups cheddar and all gruyere until melted. Pour over cooked macaroni in a well buttered 9 x 13 baking dish. Drizzle cream around edge of cassarole, sprinkle with remaining cheddar and toasted crumbs 4. cover with aluminum foil bake 20 min. then uncover and bake 10 more min. then put under preheated broiler 5 min. Serve with nice green salad.