Macaroni and Cheese Perfection

Name: Macaroni and Cheese Perfection
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1.25 cups dried elbow macaroni; 0.333 cup chopped onion; 4 teaspoons butter or margarine; 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour; 0.125 teaspoon pepper; 1.5 cups milk; 1.75 cups shredded Emmentaler cheese or Swiss cheese (7 ounces); 2 tablespoons butter or margarine; 0.333 cup fine dry bread crumbs; 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese; fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

5.0

(1)

This classic homemade pasta casserole uses two kinds of cheese for extra flavor.

By

Midwest Living editors

Published on August 30, 2011

Prep Time:

30 mins

Bake Time:

20 mins

Stand Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

55 mins

Servings:

3

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Ingredients

1 ¼ cups dried elbow macaroni
⅓ cup chopped onion
4 teaspoons butter or margarine
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon pepper
1 ½ cups milk
1 ¾ cups shredded Emmentaler cheese or Swiss cheese (7 ounces)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
⅓ cup fine dry bread crumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Directions

Cook macaroni in unsalted water according to package directions until tender, but still firm. Drain well.
In a medium saucepan, cook the onion in the 4 teaspoons butter or margarine until tender, but not brown. Stir in the flour and the pepper. Add the milk all at once. Cook and stir until the mixture is slightly thickened and bubbly. Remove from heat. Add the Emmentaler cheese, stirring until melted (the mixture may appear slightly curdled). Stir in the cooked macaroni. Transfer the mixture to a 1-1/2-quart casserole.
In a small saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons butter or margarine. Stir in the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle atop macaroni mixture.
Bake in a 350 degree F oven for about 20 minutes or until heated through. Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving. If you like, garnish the casserole with fresh thyme.