Recipe(tried): Baked Macaroni and Cheese for Paul/PA

Hi Paul:-) I don't know whether or not you will find this recipe to your liking but I can tell you that we like it. The recipe was given to me by a friend, years ago.

Macaroni and Cheese
Serves 4 to 6

1 c. elbow macaroni
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
White sauce
4 strips fo bacon, fried or "nuked" until crisp, and cut into small pieces
1 egg
3 fresh tomatoes, or drained, canned tomatoes, cut into small pieces

White Sauce

2 Tbl. butter or margarine
2 Tbl. flour
1 c. milk
1/2 tsp. salt
White pepper or black pepper to taste

Melt butter over low heat. Add flour, salt and pepper and whisk until smooth, cooking over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes to get rid of the raw taste of the flour. Add the milk, and raise the heat to medium or medium high, stirring constantly until smooth and thick. (Lower heat when the sauce starts to bubble and let it simmer for a few minutes, until smooth and thick. Just make sure you stir the sauce constantly until you remove it from the heat so it doesn't get lumpy or stick.)

Cook the macaroni in salted water according to package directions. Beat the egg lightly, then mix (whisk) small amounts of hot white sauce to the egg until all of the white sauce is combined with the egg. Mix all the ingredients - the sauce, cheese, bacon, tomato, and macaroni and place in a lightly greased ovenproof casserole. Top with more grated cheese before baking. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes at 350 degrees F.

If you like , you could top with buttered bread crumbs as well. You could also use other cheese that you may like such as Italian fontina, Monterey Jack or even some crumbled blue cheese if you like a more flavorful, tangy dish.