I know it sounds silly but where can I buy big dry macaroni?!
The stuff I buy (Marshalls or supermarket own brand) is tiny. When I had macaroni cheese in a pub recently the macaroni was large - 1cm or so diameter and it was so much better! Never seen this to buy anywhere (also had this at school dinners 30 years ago!) Please don't tell me to use Penne as it's not the same, needs to be bendy!