Elbows and Ham Bake
Dive into pure comfort food bliss with this Elbows and Ham Bake, a family-friendly dish that combines creamy, cheesy goodness with smoky bites of diced ham. Perfectly cooked elbow macaroni is smothered in a luscious cheddar and Parmesan cheese sauce, seasoned with a hint of garlic and black pepper for an irresistible flavor boost. The casserole is topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs toasted in olive oil, creating a golden crust that offers the perfect crunch with every bite. Ready in just under an hour, this baked pasta dish is easy to prepare and ideal for weeknight dinners or potluck gatherings. Simple, satisfying, and absolutely delicious, it's a hearty casserole that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2.5 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese
- 1.5 cups diced cooked ham
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 0.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
Cook the elbow macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture is light golden (this creates a roux).
Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Adjust seasoning to taste, if necessary.
Combine the cooked macaroni, diced ham, and cheese sauce in a large mixing bowl. Mix well until the macaroni and ham are evenly coated in the sauce.
Pour the macaroni mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the olive oil until evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture over the top of the macaroni in the baking dish to form the topping.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Remove from the oven and let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your comforting Elbows and Ham Bake!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3974 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 188.6 g | 242% | |
| Saturated Fat | 102.2 g | 511% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 643 mg | 214% | |
| Sodium | 8802 mg | 383% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 344.5 g | 125% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.1 g | 50% | |
| Total Sugars | 49.1 g | ||
| Protein | 222.5 g | 445% | |
| Vitamin D | 6.7 mcg | 34% | |
| Calcium | 2876 mg | 221% | |
| Iron | 17.6 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 1900 mg | 40% | |
*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.
