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A plate of the mac and cheese with ham with a fork and a napkin.

Mac and Cheese with Ham

4.91 from 60 votes
Mac and Cheese with Ham is creamy and the perfect family meal. Your favorite macaroni and cheese is a classic but with the addition of ham it's taken to the next flavor level that even the kids will love.
Prep Time : 15 minutes
Cook Time : 30 minutes
Total Time : 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Calories: 496kcal
Author: Christina Hitchcock

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups Ham, diced
  • 16 ounces Elbow macaroni
  • ¼ cup All purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon Dry mustard
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 2 ½ cups Milk
  • 2 cups Sharp cheddar, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven 350℉.
  • Prepare pasta according to the directions, drain and transfer pasta into a casserole dish prepared with nonstick spray.
  • While the pasta is cooking dice the ham and set it aside. 
  • In a sauce pan, melt butter and then add flour, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder and whisk together for two minutes.
  • Slowly add milk to saucepan and whisk frequently until smooth. When mixture is smooth and completely free of lumps, remove the pot from heat and add in ham and cheese stirring until combined and the cheese is melted.
  • Pour sauce over the cooked pasta, (give it a stir to make sure the sauce it evenly distributed).
  • Top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. 

Christina's Notes

  • Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the sauce's smoothness. 
  • Make a Smooth Roux: A well-made roux (butter and flour) is essential for a creamy sauce. Cook it until it's a light golden color before adding the milk.
  • Season Generously: Don't be afraid to add salt, pepper, mustard powder or a dash of cayenne pepper to enhance the flavor.
  • Let Rest: Allow the mac and cheese to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. This helps the sauce thicken and the flavors meld.
  • Richer Mac: To add some richness, try using heavy cream over milk.
  • Veggies: Make mac n cheese with ham and peas or broccoli.
  • Topping: Top mac and cheese with bread crumbs before baking. I can also top with more cheddar and parmesan cheese a few minutes before serving.
  • Serve With: Enjoy creamy mac with Homemade Garlic Bread from Scratch, Italian Chopped Salad or a Starbucks Pink Drink.

MY NOTES