Creamy Mac N Cheese with Ham and Tomatoes
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Mac N Cheese with Ham and Tomatoes, a decadent twist on the classic favorite. This recipe brings layers of creamy, cheesy goodness with a velvety sauce made from sharp cheddar and mozzarella, perfectly coating al dente elbow macaroni. Diced ham adds a savory, smoky touch, while bursts of sweetness from halved cherry tomatoes balance the richness. A hint of paprika and black pepper elevates the flavor, and a golden Parmesan crust adds the perfect finishing touch. Ready in just 45 minutes, this baked mac and cheese is ideal for weeknight dinners or potluck gatherings, serving up cheesy perfection in every bite. Keywords: creamy baked mac and cheese, ham and tomato macaroni, comfort food recipe.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz elbow macaroni
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup diced cooked ham
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
- 0.25 tsp paprika
- 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, then drain 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 to form a roux, stirring constantly.
Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens.
Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. Mix until the cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Adjust seasoning to taste if necessary.
Add the cooked macaroni to the sauce and stir until evenly coated.
Gently fold in the diced ham and halved cherry tomatoes, making sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the macaroni and cheese.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the mac n cheese mixture to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish and spread it out into an even layer.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the mac n cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this creamy, flavorful dish!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
780 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 45.6 g | 58% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.4 g | 137% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 149 mg | 50% | |
| Sodium | 1290 mg | 56% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 56.0 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.5 g | ||
| Protein | 35.6 g | 71% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 599 mg | 46% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 421 mg | 9% | |
*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.
