Creamy Mac and Cheese

8 oz elbow macaroni
1/4 c butter
3 Tbsp flour
2 c milk
6 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 c bread crumbs
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp parsley

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat; stir in flour and cook 1 minute until smooth and bubbly, stirring occasionally. Mix in milk, cream cheese, salt, pepper, and mustard. Melt cream cheese and cook until thickened.

Add pasta and cheddar; mix well. Pour into a 2-quart casserole dish.

Combine bread crumbs, parsley and butter; sprinkle over mac and cheese.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until top is golden brown.

NOTES
Adapted from allrecipes.com.
Great texture for homemade mac and cheese.
To save time I often skip the crumb topping and the baking, and just serve from the stovetop.