1 box pasta (you can use any, here I used whatever I had leftover: half elbow + half rotini)
2 tbsp butter (salted is what I use)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dry parsley
3 tsp all purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
2 cups cheese (any kind, I like cheddar/parmesan/mozzarella/whatever's on sale at Publix that week)
Boil pasta as per box instructions
in a separate saucepan on medium heat melt butter until completely dissolved. Add in flour one tsp at a time and continue to whisk. Once you see the flour has completely blended into the butter and has small bubbles coming up lower the heat and add in milk. Continue to stir slowly. Once the mixture thickens into a sauce consistency turn off the heat and add in cheese. Keep stirring. Sauce will thicken further as cheese melts into it. Add in all the spices to the sauce until they're completely dissolved. Put boiled pasta into a baking dish and pour cheese sauce over it, mix together well.
Optional: Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 10 mins on 400F.
More options: add in items like chopped onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, grilled chicken or cooked ground beef to make this a more hearty meal.
