# Mac & Cheese
**Ingredients**
1 ½ cups water
1 cup milk
8 ounces elbow macaroni
4 ounces American cheese, shredded (1 cup)
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Small pinch cayenne pepper
⅓ cup panko bread crumbs
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Barilla makes our favorite elbow macaroni. Because the macaroni is cooked in a measured amount of liquid, we don’t recommend using different shapes or sizes of pasta. Use a 4-ounce block of American cheese from the deli counter rather than presliced cheese.
**1.** Bring water and milk to boil in medium saucepan over high heat. Stir in macaroni and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently, until macaroni is soft (slightly past al dente), 6 to 8 minutes. Add American cheese, mustard, and cayenne and cook, stirring constantly, until cheese is completely melted, about 1 minute. Off heat, stir in cheddar until evenly distributed but not melted. Cover saucepan and let stand for 5 minutes.
**2.** Meanwhile, combine panko, oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in 8-inch nonstick skillet until panko is evenly moistened. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until evenly browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Off heat, sprinkle Parmesan over panko mixture and stir to combine. Transfer panko mixture to small bowl.
**3.** Stir macaroni until sauce is smooth (sauce may look loose but will thicken as it cools). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to warm serving dish and sprinkle panko mixture over top. Serve immediately.
**Price Evaluation**
Mac and Cheese -- ~$5.63; 1 meal for 2 people
1 cup milk (1/2 gallon for $3.99) -- ~$.50
8 ounces elbow macaroni (1 lb for $2.19) -- ~$1.10
4 ounces American cheese, shredded ($5.49/lb) -- ~$1.37
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard -- negligible
Small pinch cayenne pepper -- negligible
⅓ cup panko bread crumbs (4 cups for $1.89) -- ~$.16
Salt and pepper -- negligible
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese -- negligible