Macaroni and Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 2 quart baking dish with non-stick spray.

Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta.

Drain the pasta when cooked and set aside.

Add butter to the empty pasta pot and heat over medium heat.

When the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.

Slowly pour in the milk, whisking almost constantly until it comes to a simmer.

Continue to simmer until the milk mixture thickens. The milk mixture is thick enough when it can hold a line on a spoon when you run your finger through it without it running. (Takes about 5-10 minutes.)

Remove pot from the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese. Mix until it melts completely.

Add salt and pepper to the sauce.

Stir in the pasta until completely coated with the cheese sauce.

Transfer the pasta to the prepared baking dish.

In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the macaroni and cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes until the top is browned and cheese sauce is bubbling.