Southern mac Recipe

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 1 small to medium onion, chopped
• 12 ounces medium shell pasta
• 12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne red pepper
• 2 cups lowfat milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup coarse breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Saute chopped onion in 1 tablespoon of the butter until soft and pale golden. Melt remaining butter and set aside.
3. Heat several quarts of water to boiling. Boil pasta shells, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Don’t overcook, as they will cook further in the oven. Drain.
4. In a large bowl, mix shells well with 3/4 of the cheese and remaining ingredients, except breadcrumbs and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Grease a baking dish big enough to hold it all and add pasta/cheese mixture, spreading out evenly. Top with breadcrumbs, sprinkle with melted butter and cheese. Bake for 40 minutes to 1 hour or until bubbly and top is brown. (Cooking time will depend on size of baking dish.)