My grandma used to make this every Sunday after church and the whole family asked for seconds. Just 4 simple ingredients and it tastes incredible.

This oven baked 4-ingredient Amish parsley butter and macaroni bake is the kind of dish that feels like a Sunday afternoon hug. My grandma used to slide a big white casserole dish of this out of the oven after church, the top just kissed with golden spots and little pools of melted butter shimmering around the edges. It’s plain as can be on paper—just macaroni, butter, milk, and fresh parsley—but when it bakes together, it turns into something the whole family reaches for seconds of. This recipe comes straight out of the simple Midwestern farmhouse style of cooking, where pantry staples and a gentle hand turn into comfort that fills both the table and the heart.

Serve this macaroni bake piping hot right from the white casserole dish, with a big spoon for scooping. It pairs nicely with sliced ham, roast chicken, or a simple skillet sausage, and a side of green beans or a crisp lettuce salad to balance the richness. I like to set out extra chopped parsley and a small dish of softened butter so folks can add a little more if they like. A glass of cold milk or iced tea on the side makes it feel just like those old Sunday dinners, and any leftovers warm up beautifully for an easy lunch the next day.

Servings: 6

12 oz dry elbow macaroni

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 2 to 2 1/2-quart white casserole dish, making sure to coat the bottom and sides so the macaroni won’t stick and the edges can turn golden and buttery.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook until just shy of al dente, about 1 to 2 minutes less than the package directions. The pasta will finish softening in the oven, so don’t overcook it now.

While the macaroni cooks, warm the milk gently in a small saucepan over low heat or in a heat-safe measuring cup in the microwave until just warm to the touch, not boiling. This helps the bake come together more evenly in the oven.

Drain the macaroni well and return it to the warm pot. Immediately add the 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, cut into pieces. Stir slowly until the butter is completely melted and coats every piece of macaroni. The heat from the pasta should melt the butter without needing extra heat.

Stir the finely chopped fresh parsley into the buttery macaroni, reserving a tablespoon or so if you’d like to sprinkle some on top after baking. Mix until the parsley is evenly distributed, with little green flecks throughout.

Pour the warm milk over the macaroni and parsley mixture in the pot and stir gently to combine. The mixture will look quite loose, almost soupy—that’s exactly what you want, as the macaroni will drink up the milk in the oven.

Transfer the macaroni mixture to the prepared buttered casserole dish, smoothing it into an even layer. If you like, dot a teaspoon or two of extra butter around the edges so you get those buttery pools when it bakes.

Place the casserole dish on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake, uncovered, for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden in spots, the edges are bubbling gently with melted butter and milk, and most of the liquid is absorbed but the macaroni is still moist and tender.

Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. This short resting time lets the macaroni settle so it scoops nicely while still staying creamy. Sprinkle with a little extra fresh parsley for color if you saved some.

Serve warm, scooping generous spoonfuls so you catch the golden top, the tender macaroni, and those buttery edges all together. This is best enjoyed the day it’s made, but leftovers can be cooled, covered, and refrigerated, then reheated gently with a splash of milk to loosen.

To keep the spirit of the original 4-ingredient Sunday dish, I like to leave it just as it is, but there are a few ways you can adjust it while staying close to the roots. If you prefer a richer bake, you can swap 1/2 cup of the milk for light cream, keeping the total liquid the same. For a slightly herbier flavor, mix in a tablespoon of finely chopped chives or a pinch of dried thyme along with the parsley, though parsley alone is the classic farmhouse way. If you need to use salted butter, simply go lighter on any salt in the pasta water. For a smaller household, cut the recipe in half and bake it in a 1-quart dish, checking for doneness about 5 to 10 minutes earlier. For food safety, always cook the macaroni in fresh, clean water and keep your work surfaces and utensils clean. Use pasteurized milk and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to warm it; don’t leave milk or the finished casserole sitting at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Cool leftovers promptly, store them covered in the refrigerator, and enjoy within 3 to 4 days. Reheat leftovers thoroughly until steaming hot in the center, adding a splash of milk if the macaroni seems dry. Avoid reheating more than once, and discard any portions that have been left out too long or show signs of spoilage.