Jalapeño Baked Mac n Cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Microwave the milk for one minute. In a large pan, heat up the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the jalapeño’s, garlic cloves, and bay leaf. Then, add the flour to make a roux. Cook the mixture until the flour is light golden brown and there are no more lumps. (About 3-5 minutes).
2. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until thickened, whisking constantly. This should take around 5 minutes. Add the red crushed pepper, black pepper, and the cheese. Stir until the cheese has completely melted and the sauce is of creamy consistency.
3. Take out the garlic cloves and the bay leaf. Add in the cooked pasta and mix well.
4. Transfer the mac n’ cheese to a lightly greased baking dish, top it with breadcrumbs and slices of cold butter on top (for a crispy top).
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!