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Here's everything you need for this scrumptious mac and cheese. This recipe requires just 45 minutes total time — including prep time and cooking time — and makes eight mouthwatering servings.

Let's Get Started… 

Ingredients To Gather:

• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• 3 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 1/2 cups milk (I use 2%)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded havarti cheese
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 clove garlic minced or grated
• 1 cup Progresso™ panko crispy bread crumbs or Progresso™ plain bread crumbs
• Parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions To Follow:

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and then using nonstick cooking spray to coat a baking dish. Take the pasta and 1 cup of cheddar cheese and place it in the baking dish and then set aside while you melt 4 tbsp. of butter over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Next, add the flour to the mixture and whisk constantly for 2 minutes. Take milk and 1 1/2 cups water and whisk it into the mixture. Bring the entire mixture to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes or until it turns into thin sauce with a glossy texture. Whisk frequently while doing this. Next, add the mustard powder, salt and pepper, and cayenne pepper and stir these ingredients into the mixture. Take the sauce off the heat and add 2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, stirring it in until the mixture is smooth. Next, take this sauce and pour it over the pasta, stirring so that all of the pasta is coated with the sauce and completely covered by it.

Cover with foil and bake for about 25 minutes or until the pasta is almost tender. Next, take the sauce pan and wipe it clean, and then place 4 tbsp. of melted butter followed by the garlic and breadcrumbs. Toss all of these to combine. Add salt and pepper and then toss the breadcrumbs over medium heat for about 4 or 5 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are fragrant. Next, take the pasta out of the oven, remove the foil, and sprinkle 1/2 havarti cheese on top, followed by the breadcrumbs. Place back in the oven and cook until the pasta is tender. The edges should start to bubble and the top should start to turn golden brown. This usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

Finished!

See — we told you it could be done without water. Didn't believe us, did you? This mac and cheese is great all on its own, but we like to sprinkle a little parsley on top for garnish. We recommend serving this delightful mac and cheese with a couple of veggie side dishes.

Enjoy!

Article Source: Tablespoon.com