Step 1

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat

Step 2

Add the elbow macaroni from the box and cook, stirring occasionally (especially in the beginning), until al dente (start tasting after 5 minutes)

Step 3

Drain the macaroni and put into a bowl with 1 tablespoon of the salted butter, stirring gently to incorporate the butter; set aside while you make the sauce

Step 4

Return the empty pot to low heat and stir together the remaining tablespoon of butter, the milk, the American cheese, and the cheese powder from the box

Step 5

Keep stirring until you have a creamy sauce with no traces of powder

Step 6

Add the pasta to the sauce and stir carefully, until all of the pasta is coated with the sauce

Step 7

Remove from the heat and serve hot