Macaroni and Cheese With Ham

By The Canadian Living Test Kitchen.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1  small onion, chopped
• 1  cup  diced cooked ham
• 1⁄3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3  cups milk
• 1  teaspoon dry mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  each  salt and pepper
• 1  pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 1⁄2 cups  shredded  old cheddar cheese (10 oz/300 g)
• 3  cups macaroni
• 1⁄2 cup  fresh breadcrumb
• 1⁄4 cup  grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; cook onion and ham until onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add flour; cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
3. Gradually whisk in milk; cook, whisking, until thick enough to coat back of spoon, about 8 minutes.
4. Add mustard, salt, pepper and cayenne.
5. Stir in Cheddar cheese just until melted.
6. Meanwhile, in large pot of boiling salted water, cook macaroni for about 8 minutes or until tender but firm. Drain and return to pot.
7. Add sauce and stir to combine. Pour into 8-inch (2 L) square glass baking dish.
8. In small bowl, combine bread crumbs with Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over macaroni mixture. Broil until browned, about 3 minutes.