Baked Macaroni and Cheese!

1 . Stage

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2 . Stage

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain.

3 . Stage

Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a pot over medium heat. Whisk flour and mustard powder into melted butter until smooth, about 5 minutes. Mix milk, onion, paprika, and bay leaf into flour mixture; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf from sauce.

4 . Stage

Beat about 2 tablespoons sauce and egg together in a bowl to temper egg. Pour egg mixture into sauce and stir gently. Mix 3/4 of the Cheddar cheese into the sauce until melted and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Fold macaroni into cheese sauce and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over macaroni mixture.

5 . Stage

Stir panko bread crumbs and 3 tablespoons melted butter together in a bowl; sprinkle over cheese layer.

6 . Stage

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and topping is lightly browned, about 30 minutes.