Macaroni And Cheese (J. Alexander'S Version)

• 8 ounces pipette pasta
• 3 tablespoons butter, divided (plus extra to grease pan)
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 onion, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 2 1/4 cups gruyere cheese, divided
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumb

1. Boil 6 cups water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a medium pot. Add macaroni and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and put in a large bowl.
2. Melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Heat oven to 350u0b0F Whisk in flour and cook 3 minutes, whisking constantly.
3. Gradually whisk in heavy cream.
4. Stir in onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring often.
5. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups gruyere. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove bay leaf.
6. Stir in pasta.
7. Pour HALF of the pasta mixture into a deep 1 1/2-quart, buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with HALF of the remaining cheese. Top with remaining pasta mixture, then add the remaining cheese.
8. Melt 1 Tablespoon butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add bread crumbs and toss to coat. Sprinkle bread crumbs on top of macaroni and cheese.
9. Bake 30 minutes or until bread crumbs are lightly browned. Cook 5 minutes then serve.

pasta, butter, flour, heavy cream, onion, bay leaf, paprika, gruyere cheese, fresh ground black pepper, fresh breadcrumb

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/macaroni-and-cheese-j-alexanders-version-487930 (may not work)