Macaroni and cheese

grease an 8x8 pan and preheat the oven to 350 F. cook 8 ounces (2 cups) of macaroni in 6 cups of boiling water with 1.5 tsp salt dissolved in it. drain (I usually put a half pound of chopped frozen broccoli in the colander, so that the hot macaroni defrosts it but I didn't have any ) grate 2 cups (8 ounces) cheese melt in a large saucepan: 2 Tb butter. when melted, whisk in 2 Tb flour and cook , whisking contantly, for 3 minutes. add gradually: 2 cups whole milk stir in a small onion, minced, along with a bay leaf , 1/4 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp ground mustard. simmer very gently, whisking often, for 15 minutes. remove from the heat and stir in 2/3 of the cheese. season with salt and pepper. in a small skillet, melt 1 Tb butter and add 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs (you can use dried, too, but its not as nice), and stir to coat. remove from heat. stir the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce. pour the mixture in the prepared pan, then spread the breadcrumb mixture on the top. Bake for about a half hour, until the whole dish is bubbly and slightly browned.