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Macaroni and Cheese
12 ounces dried elbow macaroni
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
1/2 cup chopped onion
4 cups milk, divided
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup fresh bread crumbs (2 to 3 slices firm white bread)
Heat oven to 375 degree F. Lightly coat a 13x9-inch baking dish with vegetable cooking spray.
Start to cook pasta according to package directions.
Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
Mix 1/2 cup of the milk and flour in blender at low speed. Add milk mixture to onion, then whisk in remaining 3-1/2 cups milk, bay leaf, thyme, salt and pepper.
Cook milk mixture over medium-low heat 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. With slotted spoon, remove bay leaf. Stir in cheeses and nutmeg until cheeses melt.
Drain pasta and stir into hot cheese mixture; pour into prepared baking dish.
Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter in a small microwaveproof bowl on 100 percent power (High) for 30 seconds; stir in crumbs. Sprinkle over top of casserole. Bake 35 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Makes 8 main-dish servings.
Italian Mac-n-Cheese: Add 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano: substitute 1/2 teaspoon dried basil for the thyme. Omit the nutmeg. Substitute 1/3 cup grated Romano cheese for the Parmesan. Stir in1/2 cup chopped fresh plum tomatoes, seeded, in step 6.
Tex-Mex: Omit the nutmeg. Substitute 1 tablespoon chopped fresh jalapeno chile, seeded and minced, for the thyme, and substitute 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese for the cheddar. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro in step 6.
Greek: Substitute 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill for the thyme. Reduce cheddar cheese to 3/4 cup and add 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese. Stir in 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained, in step 6.
German: Substitute 1/4 teaspoon caraway seed for the thyme; omit the Parmesan and nutmeg. Increase cheddar to 1-1/3 cups. Stir in 1-1/2 cups shredded cabbage,steamed and well drained, in step 6.
French: Increase thyme to 1/2 teaspoon. Substitute 1-1/3 cups shredded Gruyere for the cheddar and Parmesan. Stir in 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard in step 6.
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