Baked Macaroni

Filipino version of macaroni casserole, with a sauce base similar in flavor to Filipino spaghetti.

Ingredients:

1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper

In Topping:

3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs

How to Cook:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook the pasta in large pot with salted boiling water. 
• While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. 
• Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.
• Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
• Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes.
•  Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.
• Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.