Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta well.

Meanwhile, whisk together milk and flour in a medium pot.

Bring milk mixture just to a boil over medium heat, stirring often.

It should be about the consistency of heavy whipping cream, so reduce the heat and gently simmer for a minute or so, stirring often, if it needs more time to thicken.

Remove pot from the heat and gently stir in cheese, one handful at a time, until the sauce is smooth. Stir in salt and black pepper.

Add pasta, sitr well and serve.

Transform this creamy dish into a baked favorite by transferring finished mac and cheese to an oiled baking dish, top with breadcrumbs and more grated cheese, and bake at 350°F until melted and golden.

Consider stirring in different veggies, cheeses or meats to oomph up the nutrition and make this dish grand. Here are some of our favorites:

Thinly sliced kale, spinach or Swiss chard
Steamed broccoli florets
Diced heirloom tomatoes
Small pieces of goat milk Brie
Blue cheese crumbles
Chopped smoked salmon
Cooked crab cakes, broken into pieces
Diced cooked meatballs 
Shredded barbeque or rotisserie chicken
Frozen vegetable blends