Fancy Macaroni and Cheese - Easy

MI Mitten's Note:

This recipe from Giada De Laurentiis's show Everyday Italian the "Pasta Potluck" episode. The only change from her recipe is that I cut it in half to make an 8x8 square dish and I re-titled it to reflect its not quite ordinary characteristics. I just love it and it is so easy. I hope you enjoy it too.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 3

• ½ tablespoon butter , for greasing baking dish
• 6 ounces wide egg noodles
• 1 ½ cups whipping cream
• ¾ cup whole milk
• ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt , plus
• more salt , for pasta water
• 1⁄8; teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 cup packed Fontina cheese , divided (1/2 cup and 1/2 cup)
• ½ cup packed finely grated parmesan cheese , divided (1/4 cup and 1/8 cup)
• ½ cup packed grated mozzarella cheese , divided (1/4 cup and 1/8 cup)
• 2 ounces cooked ham , diced, optional (Note (I use a good baked ham from the deli, sliced thin, then I cut it in short thin strips)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 450°F.
2. Butter 8x8 square baking dish (set aside).
3. Cook noodles in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, approximately 5 minutes.
4. Drain well but DO NOT Rinse.
5. Whisk the cream, milk, flour, salt, and pepper in a medium sized bowl to blend.
6. Stir in 1/2 cup Fontina, 1/4 cup each Parmesan and Mozzarella, ham, and parsley.
7. Add the noodles and toss to coat.
8. Transfer the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish.
9. Toss the remaining cheeses together to blend (that's 1/2 cup Fontina, 1/8 cup each Parmesan and Mozzarella).
10. Sprinkle the cheese mix over the noodles.
11. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and begins to brown on top, approximately 20 minutes.
12. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.