Perfect Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Steps

• 1

  Preheat oven to 350° F.
• 2

  In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
• 3

  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. This is called a roux. Make sure there aren't any lumps. Stir in the milk, onion (if desired), bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes, then remove the bay leaf.
• 4

  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.
• 5

  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.