1. Cook the Pasta

• Boil Water: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually around 8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
• Tip: To prevent sticking, toss the drained pasta with a little olive oil while it cools.

2. Make the Cheese Sauce

• Melt the Butter: In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes to create a roux. It should be golden and bubbly but not browned.
• Add the Milk: Gradually pour in the milk while whisking to avoid lumps. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in the Cheese: Lower the heat and add the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is creamy.
• Don’t Worry: If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash more milk to reach your desired consistency.

3. Combine Pasta and Sauce

• Mix: Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until every piece is well-coated in the gooey goodness.
• Add Veggies: Gently fold in the chopped veggies for a pop of color and added nutrition. This is also where the “monster” element comes in—feel free to be creative with your veggie choices!

4. Prepare the Topping

• Make the Crunch: In a separate bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese. This will create a crispy topping that adds great texture.
• Extra Tip: For even more flavor, you can add some Italian seasoning or garlic powder to the breadcrumb mixture!

5. Assemble and Bake

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Layer: Transfer the mac and cheese to a greased baking dish (about 9×13 inches works well). Spread it out evenly and then sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture generously on top.
• Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy. You can broil it for the last 2-3 minutes if you want an extra crunchy topping—just keep an eye on it!

6. Create Monster Features

• Get Creative: Once the Monster Mac and Cheese is out of the oven, it’s time to have some fun! Use olives or black beans to create eyes and slice hot dogs into thin strips for monster mouths.
• Make it Spooky: You can also add fun decorations like gummy worms or edible googly eyes to make it even more festive, especially for Halloween!