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A tray of Old Fashioned Mac & Cheese.

Classic Mac and Cheese

Chef Jenn
Classic Mac and Cheese has a creamy cheese sauce, savory ham, and a crispy saltine topping. Great for prepping ahead, baking fresh, or enjoying as tasty leftovers.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 491 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 10 ounces dry macaroni pasta
  • 3 cups grated cheese see my notes below
  • 2 cups milk whole milk for the creamiest mac and cheese
  • 1 cup ham diced
  • ¼ cup + 3 tablespoons salted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ½ sleeve saltines

Instructions
 

  • Cook the macaroni until 2 minutes shy of package directions; drain and rinse with cold water.
  • Melt ¼ cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook 1 minute.
  • Slowly whisk in the warm milk until smooth, then return to heat and cook until thickened and bubbling.
  • Stir in the onion, garlic, and mustard powder. Remove from heat and add the cheese, stirring just until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Combine the cheese sauce with the pasta and ham. Transfer to a baking dish.
  • Toss crushed saltines with the remaining melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese until just melted. Be careful not to boil the cheese. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Chef Jenn's Tips

  • You can prepare the dish up to the baking stage and store it in the fridge until ready to bake. Just allow for extra cooking time if it's cold from the fridge.
  • I like using a mix of sharp cheddar and creamy gouda or mozzarella. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, as the anti-caking agents can make the sauce grainy.
  • You can freeze the mac and cheese either before or after baking, but for the best results, reheat it slowly in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 491kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 19gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 631mgPotassium: 186mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 917IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 381mgIron: 1mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

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