Buy cheese as a block, not shredded. You will get a smoother sauce if you grate it yourself. Grate the cheese on a box grater or food processor.
Boil water in a large pot to cook pasta. Once water comes up to a boil, add 1 tbsp coarse salt and macaroni. Stir and cook until tender. Drain and set aside.
While macaroni is cooking, make breadcrumbs. Tear up bread and place in a food processor. Pulse and process until coarse crumbs, not fine. Melt 3 tbsp butter in a pan and add crumbs. Stir and cook until golden brown. Set aside. If using unsalted butter, add a few pinches of salt to butter before adding crumbs.
To the same pot (now empty) you cooked the pasta, add 3 tbsp butter and melt. Add 3 tbsp flour and stir for one or two minutes until raw taste of flour disappears. Add dry mustard and stir. Add milk and continue to stir for a few seconds. Bring to a boil and add 1/2 tsp salt, hot sauce if using. Turn heat to low and simmer for 30 seconds. Turn heat down to the lowest setting. Add cheese and stir constantly to melt cheese and create a smooth sauce. Taste and add salt if necessary. Add cooked pasta and stir well. Cook for 2 minutes just to heat up pasta. Pour into a baking dish. Sprinkle golden brown bread crumbs evenly on top. It's ready to eat!!
**2nd option to brown breadcrumbs. Combine melted butter and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle over mac and cheese in baking dish. Place in your oven under broiler for a few minutes until breadcrumbs are golden brown.
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