Gourmet Girl's Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup finely diced onion
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated (you can experiment with cheeses of course, I think I put in bits of a few kinds I had on hand)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• salt
• white pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or more to taste, regular, not honey)
• 3/4 lb macaroni or choice of shaped pasta, cooked, drained, and cooled, tossed with a little butter to prevent sticking
• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, melt 4 T. of the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

3. 3

   Saute onions until tender and translucent.

4. 4

   Whisk in flour to make a roux and cook for a couple minutes, stirring, until golden.

5. 5

   Slowly whisk in the milk with a wire whisk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, whisking on occasion for 3 to 4 minutes.

6. 6

   Remove pan from heat and whisk in grated cheese. Stir vigorously until cheese has just melted.

7. 7

   Then whisk in heavy cream to achieve the desired consistency and season to taste with the salt, white pepper and mustard.

8. 8

   In a mixing bowl combine sauce with drained macaroni and adjust salt and white pepper to desired flavor.

9. 9

   Transfer mixture to a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.

10. 10

    Sprinkle bread crumbs on top and dot with remaining 4 T. of butter.

11. 11

    Bake until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes.

12. 12

    Let stand 5 minutes before serving.