bonnie's mac and cheese casserole

67 Pinches 8 Photos
Cottonwood, CA
Updated on Dec 9, 2014

This is a tasty mac and cheese recipe. It comes together very quickly and it is so easy to make. I usually make it with elbow macaroni, but I have also used Rotini. It is good old Western comfort food. Enjoy!

prep time 10 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Bake
yield 4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 1 - 12 ounces of elbow macaroni
  • MAKE SAUCE
  • 3 - tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/3 cup organic all purpose flour
  • 2 - cups milk, reserve 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 - teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 - teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 - teaspoon fresh thyme leaf
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 - cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/2 - cup parmesan, cheese grated
  • TOPPING
  • 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 - tablespoon butter

How To Make bonnie's mac and cheese casserole

  • Step 1
    Boil the regular or gluten free pasta until al dente or to your taste. Don't overcook the pasta. Drain. Pour the drained pasta into a buttered 9 X 13 baking dish.
  • SAUCE
    Step 2
    Melt three tablespoons of butter in a two quart saucepan. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, then add the reserved 1/2 cup milk and 1/3 cup flour, and all the seasonings. Whisk until smooth. Add the remaining milk. Cook mixture over medium heat until slightly thickened.
  • Add the two cheeses
    Step 3
    Then add the sharp cheddar and Parmesan cheeses to the hot mixture and whisk smooth until the cheeses melt. Check the salt and pepper to suit your taste, then pour the sauce over the pasta and gently mix with a spoon.
  • Step 4
    Serve with a topping or not. We prefer one. They are easy to make and give the dish a nice crunch to it. Mix the 1 tablespoon of butter with the 3/4 cup of Panko bread crumbs and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake in a 375 oven about 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown. Let the casserole rest five minutes before serving. Enjoy!
  • Step 5
    Serve the pasta in a pretty dish.
  • Step 6
    Here's a closeup.

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