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Creamy and rich ~ Ham Macaroni & Cheese ~ the perfect comfort food!
First, what could be more comforting than a steaming bowl of macaroni and cheese loaded with sweet ham? You’re right, this is not diet food, but it’s not January 1st yet! New Year’s resolutions don’t start until the new year – at our house anyway. I’m actually looking forward to more salads, simple vegetables, and hearty flavorful soups. And I’m ready to jump right back into my old exercise routine, but not until this leftover ham is gone! Isn’t it funny how the good habits fall away so quickly while the bad habits seem to be easy to do … all the time? Back to the treadmill!
We don’t eat ham very often, but it’s such a great way to feed a crowd at the holidays. I especially love leftover ham for sandwiches, or added to scrambled eggs in the morning. There are so many great ways to enjoy ham, but not many that are better than ham and cheese! Ham and cheese goes together perfectly like peanut butter and jelly, or sausage and biscuits.
In addition to good quality cheese, using evaporated milk in this recipe gives the sauce a thicker, richer texture. Evaporated milk (canned in the US), has had approximately 60% of the water evaporated from the original fresh milk. I have not tested this recipe for Ham Macaroni & Cheese using all fresh milk, but I think the taste would be great, however the sauce may be much thinner, which is not to say it would be bad. If you give it a try, please leave a comment and let us hear from you!
Don’t forget to PIN to your favorite Comfort Food Board!
- 6 ounces pasta, like macaroni or cellentani
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 3 tablespoons skim, 2% or regular milk
- 1 large egg
- dash of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh black ground pepper
- 4 ounces American Cheese slices, torn into small pieces 6 wrapped slices
- 4 ounces smoked Gouda shredded
- 4 ounces sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 cup ham diced into 1/2" cubes (plus a dozen extra pieces for garnish if desired)
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly spray a 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish with vegetable cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook the pasta al dente, per package instructions. Drain well.
- Return the cooked pasta to the pot and add the butter. Toss to coat until all butter is melted.
- In a small bowl with a spout, whisk together the evaporated milk, regular milk, egg, cayenne and black pepper.
- In a separate small bowl or ziplock bag, combine the American, Gouda and Cheddar cheese.
- Spread 1/3 of the pasta in the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with 1/2 of the ham. Sprinkle 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of the ham and pasta.
- Repeat again starting with the cooked, buttered pasta, the remaining ham, and 1/3 of the shredded cheese. Finally, spread the remaining pasta and cheese on top.
- Pour the egg and milk mixture over the top of the casserole. Top with a few extra pieces of ham if desired.
- Bake until the casserole is set and lightly browned on top, about 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Base recipe inspired by a recipe in the January 2017 issue of RealSimple Magazine
Cover and refrigerate leftovers.
Since the casserole includes ham, no additional salt is needed when cooking.
To freeze the casserole, bake then cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap and foil and freeze until needed. Defrost completely in the refrigerator, remove the wrapping and rewrap lightly with foil. Bake (covered with foil) at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until warmed through.
Recipe may be doubled and cooked in a 13x9-inch casserole dish
Make sure you are using unsweetened evaporated milk, not sweetened condensed milk
Here are a few more recipes you might like to use up the leftover ham:
- Ham & Cheese Breakfast Soufflé
- Ham & Swiss Pasta Roll Up Gratin ~ from The View from Great Island
- Ham and Eggs Benedict Dutch Baby ~ from Seasons and Suppers
- Hot Ham and Cheese Party Rolls ~ from Kevin & Amanda
Finally, have you taken down all your holiday decorations yet? I guess we’ll wait until after the New Year so we can squeeze out a little more enjoyment from all that work! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. We enjoyed time with family, ate way too much food, and did not exercise enough. In my own defense, I’ve been sick for weeks – which was pretty awful at such a busy time of year. I had planned to make a lot of fudge, toffee and other treats as gifts, but ultimately none were made, nor gifted. Being sick is the worst! But I’m on the mend, and I am grateful. Thank goodness for New Year’s resolutions!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
timothy driggers says
is it supposed to be a 16 ounce box of pasta
Tricia Buice says
Hi Timothy – 6 ounces of pasta (about 2 cups) is correct. This makes enough for a 1 1/2 quart casserole. Feel free to double if needed! Thanks
Robyn Gleason says
Oh my gosh, when I first saw this on Facebook, Tricia, I was sure I hadn’t seen a Mac n Cheese that looks so delicious! Now when I’m visiting here I know that I must come to your house for a serving, lol, …or two…or more! Wow – so creamy and yummy and one of my favourite comfort foods!
Happy New Year to you!
Tricia Buice says
Awww thanks Robyn 🙂 Happy New Year!!!!
Betty says
Yum…comfort food! Great idea to add the ham- it looks delicious! Happy New Year!!! 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Happy New Year Betty!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I may have to forget about those resolutions for a bit and have a small helping of your mac and cheese.
Tricia Buice says
Happy New Year Karen!
Susan says
The days of ‘the blue box’ being long over, I truly crave a good homemade mac and cheese dish – especially in the winter months. Great way to use leftover ham! We don’t eat ham nearly as much as we used to also but good to know it’s always at the deli and they can cut it thick for dishes like this 🙂 Wishing all the best in the new year, Tricia! Happy New Year!
Tricia Buice says
Happy New Year to you too Susan! Thanks 🙂
Larry says
After a month of sweets posts, finally something I can comment about :-). This may not be diet food but it sure is great comfort food for a cold winters day and a great use for the ham. I forget about canned milk and remember that my mom used it a lot to make things creamier. I’d enjoy a big bowl of your Mac, especially with the smoked Gouda in it. Happy New Year Tricia
Tricia Buice says
People really enjoy the cookie posts Larry – but I’m also glad to get back to something other than dessert 🙂 Have a very Happy New Year and thanks!
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef says
This is such great comfort food. I love it. Happy New Year Tricia!
Tricia Buice says
Happy New Year Gerlinde! Enjoy that sunshine 🙂
monique says
Makes you appreciate health so much when we feel better again..so grateful.
Looks like real comfort food..big snow accumulation all day..I had 3 boys today..will take pics tomorrow..take care!
And Bonne Année!
Tricia Buice says
Can’t wait to see the photos Monique! Thanks and Happy New Year to you and yours 🙂
cheri says
Hi Tricia, so glad you are feeling better, tough to be sick over the holidays…… There is always room for comfort dishes like this at our house. Perfect meal for cooler weather. Ham and cheese is beautiful together.
Happy New Years to you and your growing family, we are all getting together tomorrow afternoon and then spending New Years Eve comfortable alone at home. Take care, xo Cheri
Tricia Buice says
Happy New Year to you too Cheri! Looking forward to healthy foods in January!
Liz Berg says
Our temperatures have been going up and down like a roller coaster—I think some comfort food is in order. I love the look of your mac and cheese and I have some ham in the freezer!!! Have a terrific holiday weekend!!
Tricia Buice says
Crazy weather 🙂 Have a very Happy New Year Liz!
sippitysup says
I think it’s a good habit to use up all the ham. You can’t throw it away, right. Delicious dish. GREG
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Greg – happy New Year!
tanna says
Oh, girl, we battled the crud a few weeks BEFORE Christmas, thankfully. It is the worst to be under the weather at Christmas! Hope you are full speed soon!
This Mac “n” Cheese made my mouth water… I’ve missed that about your posts. LOL! I’m thinking this would be a hit with the grands (except for Andrew… who doesn’t like “fancy” mac ‘n’ cheese… he wants that Kraft out of the box kind!) LOL!!!
Sending blessings and hugs ~ tanna
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Tanna! Boy I have missed you!!!! Kraft mac and cheese is pretty great for something from a box 🙂 I think all kids love that one. Blessings to you and hope you have a very Happy New Year!
Chris Scheuer says
We’re crazy about good mac ‘n cheese and this looks like the good stuff! The ham would make it a meal in one! Love that!
Tricia Buice says
It is so filling Chris – so this recipe could feed at least 6. Add a salad and dinner is done! Hope you and Scott have a very happy New Year!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
This is just the kind of thing I love to have for breakfast, thanks for another great recipe Tricia!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Sue! Happy New Year!
[email protected]'s Recipes says
Such a comforting and wonderful treat! I too crave salads and veggies. Definitely had way too many cookies and cakes last weeks.
Tricia Buice says
Hi Angie! Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you have a very Happy New Year! Can’t wait to see what you come up with in 2017!