The Best Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoon butter
• 4½ cups whole milk, or half & half
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon dry mustard (optional)
• pinch of ground nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup seasoned Italian or Japanese breadcrumbs (optional)
• 1 lb dried pasta of your choice (see note below)
• kosher salt (for the pasta water)
• 1 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
• ½ cup pecorino-romano cheese (optional)
• 1 cup shredded gruyere cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups shredded fontina cheese, plus a few pieces cut into cubes