Healthier Homemade Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 2.5 tablespoons flour all-purpose
• 3 cups milk 1% low-fat ()
• 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded low-fat
• 16 ounce macaroni whole wheat smart taste ® (such as )
• 1 pinch paprika 
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese grated
• 0.5 cup bread crumbs whole wheat

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan
• oven
• pot
• baking pan

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes.
2. Drain.
3. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour to make a roux. Slowly add milk to roux, stirring constantly. Stir in Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses and cook over low heat until cheese is melted and sauce is thick, about 3 minutes.
4. Place macaroni in large baking dish and pour sauce over macaroni. Stir well.
5. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat.
6. Add breadcrumbs and stir until butter is absorbed, 2 to 3 minutes.
7. Spread over macaroni to cover.
8. Sprinkle with paprika.
9. Bake in preheated oven until cheese sauce is hot and breadcrumbs are browned, about 30 minutes.