Mac and Cheese with Ham is a creamy, cheesy, comforting meal. The addition of diced ham turns mac and cheese into a hearty main dish meal. It really is one of the BEST Mac and Cheese Recipes!
Ingredients
This is a pretty basic mac and cheese recipe that begins with a bechamel sauce made with butter, flour, and milk. I added both sharp yellow cheddar cheese and white cheddar for a total of 3 cups of cheese.
The cheese along with 1 pound of cooked pasta, (I used the traditional elbow but any shape will do), and diced ham are added to the bechemel. I also like to add a small amount of nutmeg for flavor.
Baked In The Oven
The whole mixture is poured into a casserole dish, topped with buttered Panko crumbs and baked until hot. If you like, you can add a little cayenne pepper or diced jalapenos to spice it up.
How To Serve
Mac and Cheese with Ham is creamy and filling. Perfect comfort food for any time of year. Add a simple salad and you have a super easy, kid-friendly meal.
Storage
Best eaten shortly after it is made but leftovers will keep for 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If leftovers are a little dry, add a splash of milk or half-and-half before reheating.
More Mac and Cheese Recipes
- Super Creamy Mac And Cheese
- Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch Mac and Cheese
- Flamin Cheetos Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese with Ham
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow pasta,, cooked and drained
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded yellow sharp cheddar
- 1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar
- 8 ounces ham,, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/3 cup panko crumbs or homemade bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Melt butter in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add milk in a slow, steady stream whisking to keep from lumping.
- Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until mixture is thick and bubbly. Whisk frequently during this time.
- Season with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Reserve 3/4 cup of cheese and place remaining cheese in pot and stir until melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in cooked pasta and ham. Transfer to a lightly greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Top with remaining 3/4 cup cheese.
- Combine panko crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl and sprinkle on top of mac and cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally posted Ovetover 26, 2014.
Was looking for a new recipe, as the one one I make from scratch requires eggs, and one of my son’s is not a fan. I just made this, used some leftover ham. It was REALLY good ! Thank you !
This is a very tasty recipe to use up leftover ham! I followed the recipe all the way except cut the salt from 1 teaspoon to just over 1/2 teaspoon as the cheeses have plenty of sodium too. I was a little nervous about the 4 cups of milk but after baking for 30 minutes it came out of the oven perfect! Not dried out and not soupy either; just perfect! I will definitely add this recipe to our rotation! Very nice flavor!
The absolutely best Mac and cheese I have ever made. Family loves it and I take it to all get-togethers requiring a dish and its a big hit.
I had written a three-star review last year saying this mac and cheese was “good but not great.” I ended up making it again, quite by accident since I didn’t realize I had already tried it, and this time we thought it was excellent and worth keeping the recipe. I can’t explain why — maybe it was the way I cooked the ham this year (in root beer), or maybe it was the larger size of the ham chunks. In any case, I’m changing my review to five stars!
reminds me of my Mom’s from the 70s which is the last time I ate it since she passed away. Thank you so much!
I have made this Mac and cheese many times, and it is by far the best I’ve had. I don’t change anything in the recipe other than stick it under the broiler for 3 minutes to get that delicious crispy top.