Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Total Time: 36 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 26 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 (10 ounce) package extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)
• 0.5 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni, cooked

Recipe

• 1 whisk flour into butter. preheat oven to 400°. microwave milk at high for 1 1/2 minutes. melt butter in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.
• 2 whisk in warm milk. gradually whisk in warm milk, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened.
• 3 whisk in cheese. whisk in salt, black pepper, 1 cup shredded cheese, and, if desired, red pepper until smooth; stir in pasta. spoon pasta mixture into a lightly greased 2-qt. baking dish; top with remaining cheese. bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.