Description
Cheddar and Ham Macaroni Bake comes together faster than your family can race to the dinner table, delivering pure cheesy comfort with hearty chunks of ham nestled in creamy pasta. Weeknight dinners get an instant upgrade when this crowd-pleasing casserole lands in front of hungry faces, ready to satisfy all your comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups ham, diced
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
Base Ingredients:
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Toppings:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook 12 oz macaroni for 2 minutes less than package instructions, ensuring al dente texture.
- Drain the pasta and set aside while preparing the cheese sauce.
- Melt ¼ cup butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in ¼ cup flour to create a smooth roux.
- Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to remove raw flour taste.
- Slowly add 2 cups whole milk and 1 cup heavy cream, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
- Simmer the sauce until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon ground mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Reduce heat and blend in 2 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Mix in ½ cup Parmesan cheese for extra richness.
- Fold in cooked macaroni and 2 cups diced ham until evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese over the macaroni.
- Top with seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
- Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra crispy top, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest the dish for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set.
Notes
- Swap out ham for rotisserie chicken, cooked bacon, or roasted vegetables to customize the dish for different dietary needs.
- Cook pasta just shy of package instructions to prevent mushy texture during baking, ensuring a perfect al dente consistency.
- Select a sharp cheddar cheese for maximum flavor depth, as milder cheeses can make the sauce taste flat and uninteresting.
- For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend when making the cheese sauce roux.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-28 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg