Amazing Baked Mac and Cheese

Submitted by Chef #1362976

"The original recipe came from my family, I added my own ingredients until it was perfect!"

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 3 tablespoons margarine
• 3 cups milk
• 4 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 (8 ounce) package of diced ham (I use the package that is already diced in the lunchmeat section)
• pepper

directions

1. Dice onion into very small pieces, sautee in butter until soft and tan, place diced ham in pan and mix around for about 5 to8 minutes to warm, then place to side.
2. Preheat oven to 350, lightly spray Pam or greaser in bottom and sides of a 9x13 baking dish (I use glass).
3. Start boiling pasta (I try to time the pasta around the same time as the cheese mixture).
4. Melt 3 tablespoons of margarine over medium heat, whisk in 1/4 cup of flour, whisk, slowly whisk in 3 cups of milk.
5. Cook on medium heat for about 8 minutes, whisking often until mixture is thicker (coats the back of a wooden spoon) at the same time finish up noodles, drain and place back in pot.
6. Add 3 cups of shredded cheese to mixture, stirring until cheese is melted, about 2 to 4 minutes. Be careful to not let cheese burn to bottom of pan.
7. Add pepper, add onions and ham to cheese mixture, stir.
8. Pour cheese and onion mixture over noodles in pot, stir all together.
9. Pour Mac and cheese in 9x13 greased pan, sprinkle on the last cup of shredded cheese evenly over Mac and cheese.
10. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes, until cheese is well melted and starting to lightly brown. Enjoy.