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Recipes » Creamy Ham Macaroni and Cheese

Creamy Ham Macaroni and Cheese

By Kate Morgan Jackson

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This speedy, kid-friendly recipe for macaroni ham and cheese adds some protein to everyone’s favorite comfort food supper!

Creamy Ham Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

PIN this recipe for Creamy Ham Macaroni and Cheese now… So you can make it later!

Macaroni and cheese of all varieties is the hands down fave in our multigenerational house, and here’s a way to add some protein to the mix and still come out of the kitchen looking like a champ.

This is also the perfect dish to whip up if you are making dinner to drop off with someone. We recently had a couple of friends with new babies, and they looked all kinds of happy to see this supper on their doorstep.

(Of course that means I immediately need to make it in our house as well, because the utter sadness of seeing creamy ham macaroni and cheese happening and then going to someone else’s house is too much to bear.)

Here’s how to make creamy ham macaroni and cheese!

Cook 8 ounces of short pasta according to package directions and drain. Short pasta can be anything from campanelle (my fave!) to bow-ties to good old elbow macaroni. You be you, short-pasta-wise.

While the pasta is cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in a quarter cup of flour and a quarter teaspoon of pepper until smooth. Whisk in 2 cups of milk and bring to a boil.

Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted, then stir in the cooked pasta and ham.

More tips for making creamy ham macaroni and cheese!

Can I add veggies to this recipe?

You bet! Sometimes I add about 9 ounces of baby spinach to the pasta water right before the pasta is done – it cooks up in a flash! Baby peas or cooked broccoli would also be a great veggie add-in – just stir them in at the end.

Can this recipe be made ahead?

Yep! Just reheat it in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

What’s the best ham to get for this recipe?

You want nice chunks of ham (not thin-sliced). Leftover ham will work great, and I also love a boneless cooked ham steak, which you can usually find near the bacon in your supermarket.


Ladle into soup bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan (this is optional but so good!) and serve!

Creamy Ham Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Comfort food deliciousness TO THE MAX! Good old macaroni and cheese…it never lets us down.

OTHER MAC AND CHEESE RECIPES WE LOVE!

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One Pot Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese
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Cheeseburger Macaroni And Cheese
This fun recipe for cheeseburger macaroni and cheese is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser! Two great supper tastes in one bowl.
Cheeseburger Macaroni And Cheese
This fun recipe for cheeseburger macaroni and cheese is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser! Two great supper tastes in one bowl.
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Looking for easy, dreamy creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese that doesn’t require any time in the oven? Here’s your recipe! (And your kids’ favorite.)
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
Looking for easy, dreamy creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese that doesn’t require any time in the oven? Here’s your recipe! (And your kids’ favorite.)

Want to round out your meal? This recipe pairs well with...

Carrot Puree
roasted string beans with walnutsRoasted String Beans with Walnuts
chocolate chip peanut butter pieCreamy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pie
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Creamy Ham Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Creamy Ham Macaroni and Cheese


  • Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This speedy, kid-friendly recipe for macaroni ham and cheese adds some protein to everyone’s favorite comfort food supper!


Ingredients

  • 8 ounces short pasta (campanelle, bow-ties, penne)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 6 ounces cubed cooked ham
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions and drain.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large pot over medium heat. Whisk in a quarter cup of flour and a quarter teaspoon of pepper until smooth. Whisk in 2 cups of milk and bring to a boil.
  3. Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
  4. Stir in the cooked pasta and ham.
  5. Ladle into soup bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan and serve!

Notes

Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying (without any extra cost to you)!  Thanks for using them to keep our kitchen cooking…xoxo!

Equipment

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Food Scale

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Cheese Grater

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277232.2 g1967.4 mg137.7 g76.1 g1.8 g224.7 g8.2 g152.7 g502.2 mg

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Kate Morgan Jackson

Hi there!  I’m Kate, and I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover.  I started Framed Cooks in 2009, and my mission is to create and share family-friendly recipes that make cooking both easy and fun…yes, I said FUN!  My kitchen is my happy place, and I want yours to be that place too.  And if you make this recipe, I would love you to tag @FramedCooks on Instagram so I can see the deliciousness!as seen in logos

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Published on January 11, 2022

Good for: Comfort Foods, Dinner In A Hurry, Kate's Favorites

Last Post:
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Hi, I’m Kate! I’m a recipe writer, food photographer and devoted bacon lover. I’m so glad you’re here!

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Want to round out your meal? This recipe pairs well with...

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