Baked Macaroni with shells

salt (to taste) 2 1/2 cups milk (low-fat is fine) 2 bay leaves 1/2 lb pasta (elbow, shell, ziti, or other cut, I like rotini) 4 tablespoons butter 3[...]

1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni or 1 (8 ounce) package shell macaroni or 1 (8 ounce) package other small macaroni noodles 1 small onion , grated 2[...]

1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni or 1 (8 ounce) package shell macaroni or 1 (8 ounce) package other small macaroni noodles 1 small onion , grated 2[...]