Description
A simple delicious meal without breaking the budget.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 pound egg noodles, or your favorite noodle
- 10 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 10 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 8 cups of whole milk (or half milk and half chicken stock)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (I like using panko)
- additional butter for top (about 2 tablespoons)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional add-ins:
- 2 cups cheddar cheese (or your favorite melting cheese)
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 cup par-cooked broccoli
- 1 cup cooked mushrooms
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a large baking tray with high sides. I use a 14" round tray similar to this. You want high sides as you'll be pouring a lot of liquid. This deep rectangular tray would also work.
- Set pot of salted water on stove to come to a boil and cook pasta as directed. While pasta is cooking, prepare your sauce.
- In a heavy bottomed pot, begin making your Bechamel sauce. Cut 10 tablespoons of butter and place in pot on medium-high heat. Once butter begins to melt, add in your flour.
- Whisk this mixture until all the flour is incorporated and begins to form a paste.
- Once the mixture begins to boil, slowly add in your milk/broth mixture. I begin with 1 cup, whisk then continue to add the rest.
- Turn your heat to high and continue to whisk, to ensure the bottom doesn't stick. You'll whisk until the mixture thickens and comes to a slight boil. Could take 5-10 minutes depending on your stovetop.
- Once your mixture is thick, you may choose to add in cheese. If you are not adding any cheese, salt and pepper to taste. I typically add 2-3 teaspoons of kosher salt but varieties of salt are different so start with 1 teaspoon and increase as needed.
- Once your pasta is done, drain and add to your large baking pan. Using a pair of tongs, separate pasta noodles to span the pan. If you're using any add-ins (chicken, broccoli, mushrooms) add in at this time.
- Next pour your sauce mixture right on top of your noodles. Using the tongs, move your pasta around to ensure they are evenly distributed in the pan. Continue to work pasta and sauce.
- Top with panko breadcrumbs and break up 2 tablespoons of butter into little pieces to scatter across top.
- Bake in 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes and finally broil the top slightly to get a nice brown topping.
- Remove from oven and let set for 20 minutes before cutting. Enjoy!