Mom's Macaroni and Cheese

8 oz dried pasta

3 Tbsp unsalted butter
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 ½ cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp parsley

Topping
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup bread/cracker crumbs
1 tsp unsalted butter, melted

Butter an 8 inch baking dish or comparable oven safe pan. Cook pasta according to package instructions, making sure to add salt to the water you are cooking it in. When done, drain pasta and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. To make the sauce, in a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter and add the flour to make a roux. Cook until mixture is bubbling, do not brown. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly. Bring to a simmer and cook until the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and add the cheese, salt, pepper, mustard and parsley stirring continuously until the cheese has melted. Pour cooked pasta into cheese mixture and stir gently to combine. Pour this mixture into prepared baking dish.

To make the topping, stir melted butter and crumbs together – add cheese and sprinkle over top of cheese and pasta mixture.

Bake until top is bubbling and slightly crusty, 20-25 minutes. Cover top with aluminum foil if top is browning too quickly. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving to set up.