Mac and Cheese

Name: Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 8 serving(s)
Ingredients: coarse salt; pepper; 1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked and drained; 4 tablespoons butter; 1 small onion, chopped; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled); 4 cups milk; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); 1 1/4 cups shredded yellow cheddar cheese; 1 1/4 cups shredded white cheddar cheese; 8 ounces ham, diced into 1/2-inch pieces; 2 slices white bread

(3)

Recipe by Miss Banana

If you like, use just one type of cheddar or mix with another melting cheese, such as pepper Jack, Muenster, Swiss, or mozzarella. This recipe makes enough to fill eight 12-to-16-ounce baking dishes. Divide the macaroni and cheese evenly, sprinkle with topping, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden.

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READY IN: 1hr

SERVES: 8

UNITS: US

INGREDIENTS

Nutrition

coarse salt
pepper
1

lb elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
4

tablespoons butter
1

small onion, chopped
¹⁄₄

cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
4

cups milk
¹⁄₈

teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 ¹⁄₄

cups shredded yellow cheddar cheese
1 ¹⁄₄

cups shredded white cheddar cheese
8

ounces ham, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
2

slices white bread

DIRECTIONS

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.

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