Country Ham Mac & Cheese, Southern, Cozy, Comforting
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 lb macaroni
- Salted water
Cheeses
- 2 cups mild cheddar
- 2 cups colby jack
- 1/2-1 cup cream cheese
Sauce Base
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
Spice Blend
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- (Optional) 1/8 tsp brown sugar
Country Ham
- Suncrest Farms Country Ham, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 tsp butter or oil
How to Make It
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Meanwhile, cook the pasta. Boil to just under al dente and drain.
Step 2: Heat up a skillet to medium-low heat. Add a tiny bit of butter/oil and warm the country ham 1-2 minutes on both sides.
Step 3: Make the cheese sauce. Melt butter in a sauce pan, whisk in flour, and cook 1 minute. Slowly add milk and cream until smooth and let thicken.
Step 4: Once slightly thickened, on low heat, add 3/4 of mild cheddar, colby jack, and cream cheese. Let melt fully.
Step 5: Sprinkle in spice blend, stir and taste to liking.
Step 6: Add pasta and ham to the sauce, and gently stir together.
Step 7: Pour mac & cheese into a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of mac & cheese and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Broil 1-2 minutes for color.
Serve warm. A creamy mac & cheese with flavors that make the country ham shine. Smoky, a hint of sweet, comforting, and Southern.
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