Garlic Herb Mac & Cheese - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 ounces about 2 cups uncooked pasta (elbows, trumpets, rigatoni, ditalini, cavatappi, ziti... anything tubular)
1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup vermont cheese sauce mix
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard powder (optional)
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
Topping
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons garlic oil (optional)
2 teaspoons pizza seasoning or 2 teaspoons rosemary and thyme
1 1/2 cups japanese panko breadcrumbs (coarse bread crumbs)

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350\u00b0F Grease four 1 1/2 to 2-cup ramekins, or one 2-quart baking dish.
Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente (slightly firmer than you would normally eat it). Drain and rinse with cool water. Set aside.
In a large saucepan set over medium heat, whisk together the Signature Secrets, or flour, milk, and cheese powder. Bring to a boil.
Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and seasonings. Stir occasionally, until cheese is completely melted.
Stir the pasta into the cheese sauce. Spoon it into the baking dish(es).
Melt the butter and garlic oil together, then stir in the pizza seasoning and panko bread crumbs. Sprinkle a thick layer over the pasta and cheese.
Bake the casserole for 25 to 35 minutes, until bubbly and browned. Remove from the oven, and serve hot.