12 oz whole-wheat elbow macaroni or other tubular pasta
3 T unbleached flour
1 1/2 c lowfat milk, soy milk or rice milk
2 T butter or non-hydrogenated margarine
2 c grated cheddar cheese or non-dairy cheddar-style cheese
salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste
Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese (Dairy or Vegan) Directions
Cook the pasta in plenty of boiling water until al dente; then drain. Meanwhile, dissolve the flour in 1/2 cup of the milk and then combine with remaining milk, margarine and cheese in a saucepan. Slowly bring to a gentle simmer, stirring often. Cook over low heat until the sauce is smooth and thick, 4 to 5 minutes. Combine the cooked macaroni and the cheese sauce and stir together. Season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce if using. If desired, transfer the mixture to an oiled 9-inch baking pan, sprinkle the top with fresh bread crumbs and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crusty.