Ingredients:
1 pound dried elbow pasta
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsalted butter
4 cups shredded medium-sharp cheddar
1½ cups whole milk
2 cups shredded gruyere
2½ cups Half & Half
¼ teaspoon ground paprika
½ tablespoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
How to make Baked Mac and Cheese:
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
Step 2. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt.
Step 3. Melt the butter in a large pot then sprinkle in the flour and whisk.
Step 4.Cook for a minute, whisking all the time.
Step 5. Add about 2 cups of the Half & Half, whisking until smooth.
Step 6. Add the rest of the Half & Half and also the milk and whisk in.
Step 7. Add the pasta and cook for a minute less than the package instructions.
Step 8. Drain off the water and toss with a little olive oil to stop it sticking together.
Step 9. Toss both cheeses together.
Step 10. Cook until very thick (like condensed soup, for example).
Step 11. Take the pot off the heat and stir in the spices and also 1½ cups of the cheese mixture.
Step 12. Stir in another 1½ cups of cheese and keep stirring until the mixture is smooth.
Step 13. Stir the pasta with the cheese sauce in a big bowl.
Step 14. Grease a 3-quart baking dish and spoon half the pasta mixture in there.
Step 15. Top with 1½ cups of shredded cheese and then add the remaining pasta mixture.
Step 16. Top with the remaining cheese and bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
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