Recipe: Real McCoy Macaroni and Cheese (with saltine crumb topping)

REAL MCCOY MACARONI AND CHEESE

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, divided use
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
black pepper (to taste)
2 cups milk
7 ounces macaroni (2 cups before cooking), cooked and drained
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crushed saltine crackers

Heat oven to 350 degrees F

Melt 1/4 cup of the butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, salt, paprika, mustard and pepper; stir well. Cook 1 minute.

Stir in milk. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in macaroni and cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. Spoon into 2-quart casserole.

Cover; bake 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in small skillet; stir in cracker crumbs.

After the casserole has baked 20 minutes, remove cover from casserole; sprinkle macaroni with cracker crumbs. Bake, uncovered, until top is golden and mixture is bubbly, about 20 minutes longer.

Servings: 4
Source: Chicago Tribune