Grama's Recipe For Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

I have always held on tight to this recipe ~ like one hangs on to a special childhood treasure or maybe an old love letter.
I never thought I would share it with anyone but perhaps my own daughters for their wedding shower.
I changed my mind when I read an exert from Molly Wizenbergs book ~
" A Homemade Life."
She spoke about releasing special recipes so that they can be enjoyed by many others ~ I knew she was right.
Grama seemed to pull this out of her arsenal of recipes when I was in my teens.
I couldn't believe she had held out that long ~ all those earlier years we were denied of this yummy treat!
This is the food version of a big hug ~ one of the ways I say "I Love You" to my family.
It is also on the menu when the cupboards get bare ~ I am never without cheese,
pasta and onions!

Grama's Creamy Mac and Cheese



1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
a shake of Kosher salt
lot's of pepper or to taste
1/2 stick of butter
about 2 1/2 to 3 cups milk
small onion ~ chopped in tiny pieces
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 8oz box elbows or other noodles ~ cooked

Melt butter in pan and saute onion until it becomes transparent.
Working quickly ~ add flour to a 1/4 cup of milk ~ mix well and add to onions.
As it thickens over medium heat ~ keep adding milk and 2 1/2 cups cheese until mixture is thick and creamy.
TIP ~ Whenever I make gravy, a white sauce or any sauce thickened with flour ~ I add the flour with a small amount of the liquid called for and mix to the consistansy of sour cream before adding to the heated mixture. Then you will never have lumps! This works for soup as well.

Add dry mustard, salt and pepper and Worcestershire sauce to mixture.
Add noodles and mix well. (sometimes I don't add all the noodles ~ for a creamier mixture)

Put in a buttered dish and cover with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, bread crumbs and a confetti of tomatoes if you like.

Bake uncovered at 350' until golden brown.

And by the way ~