Homemade Mac and Cheese

This is, hands-down, my kids' favorite meal. And I say "meal," and I'm planning to put it under "vegetarian main dishes," because this stuff is HEARTY. And it's so good that, if you serve it with anything else, the other things will sit on the plate and get cold while you dish up serving after serving of this stuff.

I went through my kids' backpacks a few days after their last day of school, and they both did these "All About Me"-type projects. There was always a page where they had to write about or draw their favorite foods, and guess what was featured? My homemade mac and cheese. Which is really my mom's homemade mac and cheese.

Homemade Mac and Cheese

2 3/4 c. macaroni
4 T. margarine
4 T. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 cups milk
1/2 lb cheddar cheese, shredded

Boil macaroni in water. Drain. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Blend in flour, salt, and pepper. Add milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and bubbles. Mix noodles, cheese, and white sauce together in a casserole dish. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 mins.