An easy and delicious comfort food pasta recipe.
Cook pasta according to package directions.
While pasta cooks, make the cheese sauce: in a medium sauce pan, melt butter over medium to medium low heat.
Whisk in flour to make a roux-stir continually for 2 minutes.
Whisk in the dry mustard, salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
Whisk in the milk, stirring and cooking without boiling to thicken sauce-7-9 minutes.
Then, stir in the grated cheese. Stir to combine and melt without boiling, just heat through. Remove from heat.
When pasta is desired tenderness, remove from heat and drain. Combine pasta and cheese sauce. Serve with extra grated cheese, extra pepper or even French fried onions.
Optional: Place macaroni and cheese into a lightly greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with extra grated cheese and then Panko crumbs. Place under the broiler to melt the cheese and toast the Panko crumbs-watch closely, it can burn easily.