Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that tastes great out of the box, but it’s so much better when you make it from scratch. Luckily, the homemade versions are almost as easy to make as boxed mac and cheese! Take our baked mac and cheese with ham, for starters.
In this recipe, we start with a simple cheese sauce. We give the sauce creaminess from cheddar cheese and a nutty flavor from Parmesan cheese. We add smoky ham and pasta to the sauce, then pop the casserole into the oven. In about 20 minutes, the cheesy topping bubbles up to perfection, and you’ve got a hearty entree that everyone will love—picky eaters included!
Ingredients for Mac and Cheese with Ham
- Elbow macaroni: This classic macaroni-and-cheese noodle has ridges that cling to the sauce and deliver cheesy goodness with every bite. Check out our Test Kitchen’s favorite macaroni brands.
- White sauce:Â Our homemade cheese sauce starts with a basic white sauce known as “bechamel.” The creamy sauce is a combination of butter, flour and milk. Chicken bouillon granules boost the flavor even more. You can use low-sodium or sodium-free bouillon, and adjust the salt as needed.
- Cheddar and Parmesan cheese:Â Cheddar cheese is a fantastic melting cheese that adds a smooth texture and sharp flavor to mac and cheese. Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, nutty edge.
- Fully cooked ham: If you don’t have leftovers on hand, pick up sliced ham from the deli. You can also use leftover grilled ham steak or glazed ham from your favorite holiday ham recipe.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the macaroni
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Editor’s Tip:Â After you cook the pasta, don’t rinse it. Rinsing removes the starches that help the sauce cling to the noodles.
Step 2: Make a white sauce
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Whisk in the milk, chicken bouillon and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cook and stir for two minutes or until thickened.
Step 3: Stir in the cheese, ham and macaroni
Remove the white sauce from heat. Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese, ham, Parmesan cheese and the cooked macaroni.
Editor’s Tip: To make this dish ahead of time, store this pasta mixture in the refrigerator, covered, for up to two days.
Step 4: Bake the mac and cheese with ham
Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 2-quart baking dish.
Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese. Bake, uncovered, until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Use another pasta shape:Â Try another pasta shape, like spiral-shaped cavatappi, penne, farfalle (bowtie) or orecchiette.
- Include vegetables: Add cooked zucchini, broccoli or cauliflower to your mac. You can also use thawed frozen vegetables like peas or spinach.
- Add a crispy topping:Â Top the casserole with seasoned bread crumbs or panko breadcrumbs for a classic finish. Or experiment with other crispy toppings, such as crushed cornflakes, pork rinds, potato chips or Ritz crackers.
- Change up the meat: If a baked mac and cheese with ham doesn’t speak to you, use another cooked meat. Crumbled bacon, cooked sausage, pulled pork and rotisserie chicken all taste great in mac and cheese recipes. Or just skip the meat, and enjoy unadulterated cheese!
Can you make mac and cheese ahead of time?
You can assemble this mac and cheese up to two days ahead, and bake it when you’re ready to eat. Stir together the white sauce, cheese, ham and cooked macaroni as directed, then transfer it to a storage bowl. Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to two days.
When you’re ready to bake, let the dish come to room temp on the countertop while you preheat the oven. The pasta will absorb liquid as it sits, so stir in a little milk or cream to loosen the mixture if needed. Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish, and sprinkle on the remaining cheddar cheese. Bake as directed.
How to Store Mac and Cheese with Ham
Store your leftover mac in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also freeze the mac for up to two months. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheat leftover mac and cheese in a 350° oven, or simmer it gently on the stovetop. Be sure to add a splash of milk to return the mac and cheese to its original creaminess. Check out other reheating tips in our guide for how to reheat pasta.
Mac and Cheese with Ham Tips
How do you keep mac and cheese with ham creamy?
To keep mac and cheese with ham creamy, start by grating your own cheese. Packaged shredded cheese is convenient, but it contains additives that can make the cheese sauce gritty or grainy. To increase the creaminess of your mac and cheese, swap in heavy cream for half (or all) of the milk. You can also mix in creamy ingredients like cream cheese or sour cream.
What cheese makes the best macaroni and cheese with ham?
Cheddar is the classic choice for mac and cheese, but it’s not the only option. Some of our top mac and cheese recipes are made with Gruyere, Gouda, Brie, Monterey Jack, Havarti or Muenster. You can also add Velveeta cheese to mac and cheese to add a creamy, rich and smooth finish.
