Blue Plate Macaroni and Cheese with Ham
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Blue Plate Macaroni and Cheese with Ham—a rich and creamy baked pasta dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. Featuring bite-sized elbow macaroni smothered in a velvety cheese sauce made from sharp cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan, this recipe takes classic mac and cheese to new heights with the addition of savory diced ham. A hint of paprika and dry mustard powder enhances the flavor, while a crispy panko breadcrumb topping adds the perfect crunch. Ready in under an hour, this baked mac and cheese strikes the perfect balance of creamy, cheesy goodness and satisfying texture, making it a crowd-pleasing dish that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Gouda cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1.5 cups diced cooked ham
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or spray.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, following the package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to remove any lumps. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, Gouda cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with paprika, dry mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Gently fold the cooked macaroni and diced ham into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.
Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Blue Plate Macaroni and Cheese with Ham!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
5682 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 339.1 g | 435% | |
| Saturated Fat | 188.6 g | 943% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1069 mg | 356% | |
| Sodium | 10917 mg | 475% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 372.1 g | 135% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.3 g | 58% | |
| Total Sugars | 56.7 g | ||
| Protein | 274.0 g | 548% | |
| Vitamin D | 9.9 mcg | 49% | |
| Calcium | 4255 mg | 327% | |
| Iron | 22.0 mg | 122% | |
| Potassium | 2442 mg | 52% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
