Mac and Cheese
Mouthwatering mac and cheese with a secret ingredient—discover the creamy, cheesy perfection you’ve been craving. Your taste buds won’t believe it.
Total time
60 min
Servings
8
Calories
570.9
Category
Dinner & Mains
This easy baked Mac and Cheese recipe combines creamy cheddar sauce, tender elbow pasta, and savory ham for a kid-friendly meal ready in under 60 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners, this cheesy casserole delivers comfort food at its best.
Ingredients
Makes 8 servings
- 1 coarse salt
- 4 pepper
- 1 elbow macaroni
- 1/4 butter
- 4 onion
- 1/8 all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 milk
- 1 1/4 cayenne pepper
- 8 cheddar cheese
- 2 white cheddar cheese
- ham
Method
1- Preheat oven to 375°. Cook pasta, and drain; reserve. Meanwhile, in a 5-quart heavy pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in flour to coat onion. In a slow steady stream, whisk in milk until there are no lumps.
2-Cook, whisking often, until mixture is thick and bubbly and coats the back of a wooden spoon, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in cayenne, if using, and 1 cup each yellow and white cheddar cheese. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
3-Toss pasta with cheese mixture; fold in ham. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish or individual dishes. Set aside.
4-In a food processor, pulse bread until large crumbs form. Toss together with remaining ¼ cup each white and yellow cheddar, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Top pasta with breadcrumb mixture. Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes.
Cook's notes
- Use a mix of yellow and white cheddar for a richer flavor and appealing color contrast.
- Cook the pasta al dente—it will continue to soften in the oven.
- For a crispier topping, pulse fresh bread into coarse crumbs and toss with extra cheese.
Frequently asked
Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes, any short pasta like shells, rotini, or penne works well.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Substitute gluten-free pasta and use a gluten-free flour blend for the roux.
Is the ham optional?
Absolutely. Omit the ham for a classic vegetarian mac and cheese.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the casserole without the breadcrumb topping and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add topping just before baking.
