Ham and Macaroni Cheese Casserole
Ham and Macaroni Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk, whole milk recommended
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
For the Casserole Assembly
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the macaroni cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms and smells slightly nutty.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce (if using), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the cooked macaroni and diced ham to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Pour the macaroni and ham mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
⏱️ 1 min
- 8
In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon melted butter with the panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the casserole.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
⏱️ 10 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Ham and Macaroni Cheese Casserole
Ingredients
For the Macaroni
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 teaspoon salt, for pasta water
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk, whole milk recommended
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
For the Casserole Assembly
- 2 cups cooked ham, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the macaroni cooks, prepare the cheese sauce. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until a smooth paste (roux) forms and smells slightly nutty.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to whisk and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle simmer, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce (if using), 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the cooked macaroni and diced ham to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Pour the macaroni and ham mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
⏱️ 1 min - 8
In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon melted butter with the panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the casserole.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the breadcrumb topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Remove from oven and let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
⏱️ 10 min