Cheesyroni with Ham

Friday nights and comfort food just go together... and you don't get much more comforting than mac and cheese.  Tangystringycheesydeliciousness!  Add a salad and you have a complete meal.  One of our favorite movies is on..."Shawshank Redemption", so I better go.  Y'all have a great one! 

Cheesyroni with Ham

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

1 13.25 oz. box whole grain elbow macaroni

4 T unsalted butter
¼ c all-purpose flour
2 ½ c milk (I used 2%)
¾ t salt, plus 1 t extra for pasta water
¾ t garlic powder
½ t white pepper
½ t paprika
½ dried thyme
4 c grated cheese (I used a combination of cheddar and mozzarella)
3 c cubed ham

Method

·         Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

·         Prepare macaroni as directed adding salt to the recommended amount of water, drain and hold until needed.  

·         Heat milk in a pan or microwave and have ready to the side. 

·         Melt butter in another pan, add flour and stir until thoroughly combined. 

·         Add milk stirring with a whisk until smooth and thickened. 

·         Add salt, white pepper, garlic powder, paprika and thyme and stir until combined. 

·         Add 3 c cheese and stir until smooth. 

·         Add prepared macaroni and ham and stir until combined. 

·         Pour into a baking pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. 

·         Sprinkle remaining 1 c of cheese on top and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes.

·         Cut into portions, serve and enjoy!           

~CGJ