Baked Macaroni and Cheese
(Serves 4)
1 ¼ cup uncooked macaroni noodles
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 pinches of ground pepper
1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
¾ teaspoon onion powder
3 cups of milk
2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese
¾ teaspoon ground mustard
6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
6 dashes of hot sauce
2 tablespoons of bread crumbs
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese, set aside
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an oven-proof baking dish.
Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Add the macaroni and a pinch of salt. Boil the macaroni until it is al dente (firm to the bite but cooked). This will take about 8 minutes. Drain the macaroni and set it aside.
Using the same saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the flour, salt, pepper, onion powder and milk. Whisk the mixture until it is smooth. Continue to cook the mixture for an additional 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and then whisk in the 2 cups of Cheddar cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well to coat. Spoon the cheese and macaroni mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle the bread crumbs and remaining cheese over the top of the macaroni.
Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 10 minutes. The cheese should be melted and the macaroni heated through.