Super Comforting Mac & Cheese

It's springtime in my fictional town of Icicle Falls and in my new book, WHAT SHE WANTS the men get to be center stage. You'll meet Jonathan Templar and his poker buddies, who are all trying to figure out what women want and are using romance novels as their textbooks. You'll also meet Jonathan's sister Juliet, who is kitchen–challenged. It's a good thing Olivia Wallace is now offering cooking lessons. Here's Olivia's recipe for an old standard.

Super Comforting Mac & Cheese (serves 6 – 8)

Ingredients:

2 cups milk
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
8 oz elbow macaroni
1 cup Cheddar cheese
1 cup Mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan, Romano, and Asiago mix (Kraft)
1 cup chopped onion
Topping ingredients:
1/2 cup bacon bits, 1 cup Panko, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

For white sauce, melt butter, then mix in flour until smooth. Add salt, then gradually add milk and stir over medium heat until thick. Then set aside. Saute chopped onion until translucent and set aside. Boil macaroni until al dente. Drain, rinse, and then mix in large bowl with white sauce, onion and cheeses. Transfer to a large, lightly greased casserole dish. For topping mix bacon bits, Parmesan, and Panko together and sprinkle over top. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.