Ham Mac and Cheese – Easy, Creamy & So Delicious

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: American cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories while still melting well.

ham

🥗Healthier: turkey ham

💰Cheaper: cooked chicken

Cooked chicken is often less expensive than ham.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: evaporated milk

Evaporated milk provides creaminess at a lower cost.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Margarine is typically less expensive than butter.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook 350 grams of macaroni in boiling water for about 20 minutes until tender; drain thoroughly in a colander.

In a wide saucepan, melt 800 grams of butter over moderate heat until it starts to foam.

Add 5 tablespoons of corn flour to the melted butter and stir until the mixture froths and foams.

Pour in 4 cups of milk all at once and stir with a whisk until the sauce thickens to a smooth cream.

Add 1.5 teaspoons of salt and 0.25 teaspoons of cayenne pepper; simmer over very low heat for about 2 minutes.

Remove the pot from heat and add the cooked macaroni, 300 grams of chopped ham, 250 grams of sharp shredded cheese, and 2 tablespoons of grated onion; stir until combined.

Grease a casserole dish with butter.

Spoon the macaroni mixture into the greased casserole dish.

In a bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs, 60 grams of grated cheddar cheese, and 40 grams of melted butter until combined.

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni casserole.

Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 190 degrees Celsius (375 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 30 to 40 minutes until the cheese and breadcrumb topping is lightly brown.

Spoon out the casserole and serve.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens