Mom's Hammy Macaroni N Cheese

Get ready to savor the ultimate comfort food with **Mom's Hammy Macaroni N Cheese**, a rich and creamy baked mac and cheese masterpiece that’s loaded with diced ham and topped with golden, crispy panko breadcrumbs. This family-favorite recipe features tender elbow macaroni smothered in a luscious homemade cheese sauce made with sharp cheddar and gooey mozzarella, infused with a hint of Dijon mustard and garlic for an extra depth of flavor. With a perfectly crunchy parmesan-panko topping and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a pop of color, this dish is oven-baked to bubbly perfection in just 25 minutes. Whether you’re whipping it up for a cozy family dinner, a potluck, or as a holiday side, this hearty casserole is sure to become a household favorite. Perfect for six servings, it's a creamy, cheesy, and satisfying way to turn simple ingredients into an irresistible crowd-pleaser.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz elbow macaroni
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk
• 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups cooked ham (diced)
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the elbow macaroni until al dente, following the package instructions. Drain 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 form a roux.

Step 4

Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook the mixture until it thickens and begins to simmer, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese. Mix until melted and smooth.

Step 6

Season the cheese sauce with dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Fold the cooked macaroni and diced ham into the cheese sauce. Stir until evenly coated.

Step 8

Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out in an even layer.

Step 9

In a small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.

Step 10

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese.

Step 11

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

Step 12

Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2639.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6119.8

Total Fat 296.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 165.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.4g
Cholesterol 1016.0mg	0%
Sodium 13619.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 486.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.4g	0%
Total Sugars 72.5g
Protein 365.4g	0%

Vitamin D 429.4IU	0%
Calcium 5812.6mg	0%
Iron 22.7mg	0%
Potassium 2854.2mg	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: 43.9%

Protein: 24.0%

Carbs: 32.0%