Fannie Farmer's Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups good quality shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup buttered breadcrumbs

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. 2

   Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions; set aside.

3. 3

   In a large saucepan melt butter.

4. 4

   Add flour mixed with salt and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended.

5. 5

   Pour milk and cream in gradually; stirring constantly.

6. 6

   Bring to boiling point and boil 2 minutes (stirring constantly).

7. 7

   Reduce heat and cook (stirring constantly) 10 minutes.

8. 8

   Add shredded cheddar little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts.

9. 9

   Turn off flame.

10. 10

    Add macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat with the cheese sauce.

11. 11

    Transfer macaroni to a buttered baking dish.

12. 12

    Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

13. 13

    Bake 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.

14. 14

    (You can also freeze this recipe in zip-lock bags for later use - once you have mixed the macaroni along with the cheese sauce allow to cool to room temperature before adding to your freezer - I generally pull it out the night before and allow macaroni and cheese to reach room temperature; I then add the macaroni and cheese to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle with bread crumbs and then bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on top and bubbling.