Macaroni and cheese

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 cup of flour
• A pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 cups half and half
• 4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 cup panko bread crumb

Preparation:

Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray and preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl, mix together the flour, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. In a large pot, boil the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour mixture into the melted butter. Whisk until smooth. Add in the half and half, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition. Stir until the mixture begins to thicken. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until melted. Add the cooked and drained macaroni to the cheese sauce and stir well. Pour the macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the panko crumbs over the macaroni and cheese evenly. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 20 minutes.