Lip-Smackin' Macaroni And Cheese - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 small onion
8 slices American cheese (6 ounces)
2 2/3 cups dried corkscrew macaroni (rotini) or 2 2/3 cups elbow macaroni
3/4 cup milk
1 dash black pepper
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, if you like

Preparation

On a cutting board use a sharp knife to cut onion into small pieces (you should have 1/3 cup). Reserve until Step 3.
Tear cheese slices into bite-size pieces. Save until Step 5.
Cook macaroni in a saucepan following the package directions, except add onion to water along with the uncooked macaroni so they cook together.
(To test macaroni for doneness, remove one piece with a wooden spoon, let it cool slightly, and bite into it. The center will be soft, not chewy.)
When macaroni is cooked, turn off burner.
Remove saucepan from burner.
Place colander in sink.
Carefully pour macaroni mixture into the colander to drain water.
Return warm macaroni mixture to saucepan.
Use wooden spoon to stir in American cheese, milk, and pepper.
Put saucepan on a burner.
Turn the burner to medium heat.
Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until cheese is melted, stirring all the time.
Turn off burner.
Remove saucepan from burner.
If mixture is too thick, stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons additional milk.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if you like.
VEGETABLE STIR-INS: Add 1/2 cup frozen peas or frozen mixed vegetables or 1 cup frozen sliced carrots or frozen chopped broccoli to the saucepan along with the onion, macaroni, and water.
MEAT STIR-INS: Add 1/2 cup chopped cooked ham, chopped sliced pepperoni, sliced hot dogs, or chopped cooked chicken along with the cheese and milk.
Serve with tossed salad greens with your favorite salad dressing and milk.