1. Fill a large pot about two-thirds full of water, add olive oil and bring to a boil - salt water should you so desire
2. Add macaroni and cook approximately eight minutes – stirring occasionally – you don't want it to stick to the bottom
3. In a medium pot, melt butter over medium heat once melted, add garlic and cook approximately two minutes
4. Whisk in flour until well incorporated and continue whisking until it starts gently bubble – do not scorch
5. Carefully pour in milk – careful – if you add it all at once, it may steam your face
6. Add two slices of process (American) cheese and continue whisking to incorporate
7. Add salt, pepper and smoked paprika
8. Add white cheddar, aged cheddar and mozzarella
9. Drain pasta
10. Add cheese mixture to pasta and incorporate well
11. If your mac and cheese recipe isn't creamy or gooey enough, add warm milk a little at a time, remembering your mac and cheese will tighten as it continues to cool
12. Enjoy

While we typically think of pasta as having originated in Italy – where there are almost as many types of pasta as there are people – the concept of noodles actually dates back to ancient China where pulverized grains and water were blended together to create a noodle consistency. From China, it is believed that pasta made its way to the Middle East, with documented pasta(ish) recipes appearing in Arab cookbooks or recipe collections and it appears for as long as man has been cooking, they have been documenting their cooking process.

Modern day pasta as we have come to know it did in fact originate of Italy circa the 13th century where it became a quick and easy food staple – to the point that the city of Genoa was renowned for its pasta trade during the Medieval ages. Before that however, both the ancient Roman and Greek cultures had pasta-like dishes.

Mac and cheese – or macaroni and cheese for the more formal amongst us – is believed to trace its origins back to Renaissance Italy – where it was traditionally baked before serving.

In North American the humble mac and cheese recipe is credit to no less than Thomas Jefferson who – on his return from Paris – served "macaroni pie" at a state dinner and what subsequently followed was the popularization of mac and cheese as an easy make comfort home in kitchens all across America.

The versatility of a mac and cheese recipe means it can upscale easily with the addition of bacon, chicken and there is nothing quite so decadent as a lobster mac and cheese recipe made with high end cheeses and sparkling white wine.

Finish with bread crumbs and fresh parsley – or mozzarella and bake in the oven and comfort food suddenly becomes a culinary classic fit for a formal dinner party.

We are cooking now, please wait for it to come out. It will be delicious.