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.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

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

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or spray.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to remove any lumps. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, Gouda cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with paprika, dry mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 7

Gently fold the cooked macaroni and diced ham into the cheese sauce until evenly coated.

Step 8

Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

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.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.

Step 11

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

Serving size	(2249.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5682.4

Total Fat 339.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 188.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 1068.9mg	0%
Sodium 10917.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 372.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.3g	0%
Total Sugars 56.7g
Protein 274.0g	0%

Vitamin D 394.1IU	0%
Calcium 4255.4mg	0%
Iron 22.0mg	0%
Potassium 2441.6mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.1%

Protein: 19.4%

Carbs: 26.4%