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Why we love this recipe
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.)
And, this easy stovetop version of mac and cheese is a fabulous way to use up any leftover ham you might have around!
Ingredients you need
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Pasta: Any short pasta – elbows, bowties, penne, etc. – will work for this recipe.
- Milk: Full fat or low-fat will work! Skim is too light to make the cheese sauce thick enough.
- Cheese: You can modify the taste of this recipe by using anything from milk to extra sharp cheddar. We like sharp cheddar, but you be you.
- Ham: If you don’t have leftover ham, a cooked ham steak is perfect. Look for them near the bacon in your supermarket.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.
How to make this recipe
STEP 1: 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.
STEP 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.
STEP 3: Add 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
STEP 4: Stir in the cooked ham and give it all a stir. You’re done!
Recipe FAQs
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.
Yep! Just reheat it in the oven for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
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.
Pop your question in the comments section below and I will answer pronto!
Ladle into soup bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan (this is optional but so good!) and serve!
Comfort food deliciousness TO THE MAX! Leftover ham and good old macaroni and cheese…it never lets us down.
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If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section below the recipe.
Creamy Ham Macaroni and Cheese
This speedy, kid-friendly recipe for ham macaroni and cheese adds some protein to everyone’s favorite comfort food supper!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces short pasta (campanelle, elbows, 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
- Cook the pasta according to package directions and drain.
- 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.
- Stir in the cooked pasta and ham.
- Ladle into soup bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan and serve!
Notes
- Pasta: Any short pasta – elbows, bowties, penne, etc. – will work for this recipe.
- Milk: Full fat or low-fat will work! Skim is too light to make the cheese sauce thick enough.
- Cheese: You can modify the taste of this recipe by using anything from milk to extra sharp cheddar. We like sharp cheddar, but you be you.
- Ham: If you don’t have leftover ham, a cooked ham steak is perfect. Look for them near the bacon in your supermarket.
Olivia says
This is such a great way to get some protein into mac and cheese for my picky eater. Love this recipe!
My picky eaters love it too – glad yours do!