Step 1

Cook the elbow pasta as per the instructions on the package till they are al dente. I first heated the water and salt to a vigorous boil and then added the pasta.

Step 2

Cook them till they are al dente or just cooked. They should not get too soft or mushy or break.

Step 3

Drain them in a colander or strainer.

Step 4

Now grease a baking pan with some softened butter. Skip this step if you do not plan to bake the mac n cheese.

Step 5

In a microwave safe bowl, melt butter or you can melt the butter in a small pan. Then add the breadcrumbs.

Step 6

With a spoon mix the breadrcumbs with the melted butter very well. Keep aside.

Step 7

Heat butter in a thick bottomed sauce pan on a low flame. Also preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius (390 degrees Fahrenheit).

Step 8

The butter should heat up well. Then add the all purpose flour.

Step 9

Using a wired whisk stir the flour quickly as soon as you add it.

Step 10

Keep on stirring so that no lumps are formed.

Step 11

The frequent stirring helps the flour to cook evenly.

Step 12

You will see the flour frothing and bubbling up while stirring.

Step 13

Saute the flour till you get a nice cooked aroma from the flour and a pale golden color. Don't brown the flour.

Step 14

Keep the flame to the lowest and then pour the milk in a gentle stream. Pour the milk with one hand and stir the sauce mixture with the other. The milk has to be chilled, so that lumps are not formed. If you use hot or warm milk or milk at room temperature, lumps can be formed.

Step 15

Do stir frequently while the milk warms and heats up. The sauce would begin to thicken, so do stir often.

Step 16

When the sauce has thickened well and coats the back of a spoon, switch off the flame.

Step 17

Keep the saucepan down and wait for a minute. Then add the shredded cheese. I used an equal mix of cheddar, gouda and mozzarella cheese. You can also use just cheddar cheese or processed cheese or your favorite cheese.

Step 18

Again mix and stir so that the cheese melts.

Step 19

The cheese has to melt well in the hot bechamel sauce or white sauce. So now what you have is a cheese sauce.

Step 20

Add the crushed black pepper and a pinch or two of grated nutmeg or nutmeg powder. You can also add a bit of mustard powder.

Step 21

Add very little salt. About 2 to 3 pinches. Stir again.

Step 22

Now add the pasta in the cheese sauce.

Step 23

With a spoon stir and mix very well.

Step 24

The mac and cheese is done. If you want you can serve it at this step or proceed further to bake it.

Step 25

Pour the macaroni and cheese in the prepared baking pan.

Step 26

Top evenly with the breadcrumb and the melted butter mixture.

Step 27

Now sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.

Step 28

Sprinkle some crushed black pepper.

Step 29

Bake in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius (390 degrees Fahrenheit) for 15 to 20 or till cheese melts. Do keep a check while baking as oven temperatures vary.

Step 30

Wait for 5 minutes and then serve baked mac and cheese hot.