Sarah's awesome mac n' cheese

My other favorite food is homemade mac n' cheese. I have gone through so many recipes and think I finally mastered it. This one is easy and so creamy. It also has a crisp panko topping which is like the icing on the cake ...ummm, macaroni.




Ingredients
Topping:
1/2 cup panko
2 tbs unsalted butter, melted
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar


Macaroni:
1 lb bag of large macaroni noodles
3 tbs unsalted butter
3 tbs flour
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 yellow onion (diced)
2 cup milk (I use 2%)
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp dijon mustard
8 oz white cheddar
Small block of fontina (remove red wax from outside)
4 oz Gruyere
2 cup Sharp cheddar
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper



Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking dish with cooking spray.


Shred all cheese in food processor. Set aside.


Bring stock pot of water to a boil for pasta. Add pasta and cook according to package directions (about 5-6 min) Drain in colander and return to stock pot.


Melt 3tbs butter over medium heat in large sauce pan. Once melted add diced onion and saute until soft. Stir in red pepper flakes. Add 3 tbs flour and stir for 1 min until combined. Whisk in milk. Bring to a slight boil whisking constantly.


Add cream, dijon, salt, pepper and all cheeses. Remove pan from heat. Stir together until all cheese is melted.


Combine about 3/4 cheese sauce to cooked macaroni in stock pot. Mix well. I usually end up having some cheese sauce left over. Feel free to add all of sauce but I find it ends up being more sauce then noodles.


Pour into large baking dish. Sprinkle 1 c sharp cheddar on top.


Combine panko with 2 tbs melted butter and sprinkle on top of macaroni. Bake in 350 oven for 25 min or until bubbly.


{Review}
Husband approved
Pretty easy
Great comfort food


{Serve with}
Sarah's Sticky ribs
Salad


{Time}
20 min prep time
25 min cook time