Mac and cheese with ham

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Elevate your leftover holiday ham with this delicious Mac and Cheese with Ham recipe. This dish transforms your holiday remnants into a creamy, cheesy delight that's perfect for any meal. With a luscious cheese sauce, tender chunks of ham, and a hint of cayenne for a subtle kick, this mac and cheese is comfort food at its finest.

Perfect for a family dinner or a comforting lunch, this recipe is easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table. The combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses creates a rich, flavorful dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Enjoy this unique twist on a classic favorite and savor the flavors of the holidays all over again!

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes

Total time: 1 hour Yields: 6-8 serving

Ingredients

• 1 pound elbow macaroni 

• 2 tablespoon butter

• ¼  cup all-purpose flour

• 3 cups milk

• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic

• 1 teaspoon of yellow or Dijon mustard

• ¼  teaspoon cayenne pepper

• Salt to taste

• Pepper to taste

• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

• 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided

• 1 ½  cups cooked diced ham

  Directions

1. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.

2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually, whisk in the milk, granulated garlic, yellow or Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, salt to taste and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for about 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir in  1 cup of cheddar cheese, 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese, cooked ham and macaroni.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degree F (175 degree C). 

4. Transfer the macaroni mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle it with remaining cheddar cheese and  Monterey Jack cheese. Bake, uncovered until bubbly and golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.