Polka Dotted Macaroni and Cheese
Get ready to delight your taste buds with Polka Dotted Macaroni and Cheese, a vibrant twist on the classic comfort food! This creamy, cheese-loaded casserole pairs tender elbow macaroni with a rich trio of sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan that melts into a decadent sauce. What makes this dish stand out are the pops of color and texture—sweet frozen peas, juicy cherry tomatoes, and savory diced ham give it its signature “polka dots.” Finished with a golden, crispy panko breadcrumb topping, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or potluck gatherings. Ready in just 45 minutes and serving up to six, this crowd-pleasing macaroni and cheese is as quick to prepare as it is irresistible. Dive into this visually stunning, flavor-packed comfort food today!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Elbow macaroni
- 3 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 3 cups Whole milk
- 2 cups Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
- 1 cup Frozen peas
- 1 cup Diced cooked ham
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes golden and bubbly.
Slowly whisk in the milk, making sure there are no lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally until it thickens, about 5 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Season the cheese sauce with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, peas, ham, and cherry tomatoes. Mix until everything is evenly coated.
Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Polka Dotted Macaroni and Cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4540 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 219.9 g | 282% | |
| Saturated Fat | 122.0 g | 610% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 710 mg | 237% | |
| Sodium | 8526 mg | 371% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 380.8 g | 138% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.9 g | 85% | |
| Total Sugars | 65.7 g | ||
| Protein | 255.3 g | 511% | |
| Vitamin D | 8.1 mcg | 40% | |
| Calcium | 4310 mg | 332% | |
| Iron | 19.4 mg | 108% | |
| Potassium | 2480 mg | 53% | |
*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.
