Recipe

Baked Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

	Cleverdan / All my dishes 9 months, 3 weeks ago Comfort food, pure and simple. Cheese, ham (or bacon). Incredibly rich and delicious. Prep:30m Cook:30m Servings:8	Cleverdan
	pasta cheese ham

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Ingredients

1/2 lb short, tubular macaroni (such as ziti)

6 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

2 1/2 c milk

2 c grated extra-sharp cheddar

salt (to taste)

black pepper (to taste)

1/2 lb cooked ham, sliced 1/4" thick (1/2 lb cooked bacon works too)

paprika

Directions

Bring water to boil for pasta in stockpot.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Butter casserole or souffle dish.

Salt water & add macaroni to rapidly boiling water and cook only until slightly tender (6-7 min; Pasta will cook further in oven, so it should be slightly underdone).

In saucepan, heat 4 tbsp of the butter and stir in flour. Cook over med heat, stirring, until bubbly (about 3 min).

Remove pan from heat and vigorously stir in milk to blend well, Return pan to heat and stir & cook until sauce is thickened. Add 3 tbsp of cheese and stir until melted. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Cut ham slices into 1/4" cubes (or crumble bacon).

Place colander in sink and drain cooked macaroni. Shake colander to get rid of excess water. Return macaroni to pot & toss w/ cream sauce & ham.

Arrange layer of the macaroni in casserole; cover w generous dusting of paprika & layer of shredded cheese, Continue layering until all are used, ending w/ cheese (should be about 3 layers). Dot top with remaining 2 tbsp of butter.

Bake 25 to 30 min, or until bubbling.

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