Fannie Farmer's Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese

By commercecook

Don't skimp on the quality of the cheese, or you'll have an inferior dish. I've also added roasted garlic and shallots, not in the original recipe.

Ingredients

• Optional addition:
• 1 (8 ounce) package macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, buttered
• Combine 2 shallots and 3 cloves of garlic in a teaspoon of olive oil. Wrap them in a square of aluminum foil and roast at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Press to a paste.

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cook and drain macaroni according to package.
3. In a large saucepan, melt butter. Add shallots and garlic, if using. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute.
4. Heat milk and cream to a simmer. Pour gradually into the four mixture, stirring constantly.
5. Bring to a boiling point and boil 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes.
6. Add shredded cheddar a little at a time and simmer an additional 5 minutes or until cheese melts.
7. Turn off flame.
8. Add macaroni and toss to coat. Transfer to a buttered baking dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
9. Bake 20 minutes until top is golden brown.
(They say it can be frozen before baking and after it cools to room temperature.)