Macaroni Ham and Cheese Casserole

Macaroni Ham and Cheese Casserole is a full meal complete with vegetables and protein. It's your one-stop casserole that is sure to please the entire family!

*Disclaimer - This recipe was originally published in 2014. I'm working hard to update all my older recipes with recipe cards, new photos, and additional recipe information. But, getting to all of them will take time. Please bear with me. In the meantime let me assure you that this recipe is still a winner and one I'm sure you'll be well pleased with when you make it at home.

This recipe for Macaroni Ham and Cheese is one that I had hoped to make, and post before the end of 2013.  Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

Please forgive me if your New Year's resolution is to lose weight and get fit and healthy in 2014. Guess what? That's my resolution too, and I plan on starting...tomorrow. LOL

The good (and healthier) news with this delicious recipe is that I used fat-free evaporated milk in place of whole milk, and I bumped up the nutrition level by adding in some broccoli and cauliflower.

See? I didn't forget about our resolutions altogether. Pretty close, but not totally!

This casserole freezes beautifully so even if you have leftovers, wrap them well and stick them in the freezer so you'll have another meal ready for one of those "I don't feel like cooking" days!

MACARONI HAM AND CHEESE CASSEROLE
Serves: 8-10     Prep time: 20 minutes     Bake time: 20 minutes

1 - 1 lb. ham steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 box of penne pasta
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cans (12 ounces) of fat-free evaporated milk
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground mustard
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Colby cheese
1 package "Steam Fresh" frozen broccoli and cauliflower
1 cup Parmesan cheese

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
-In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ham. Set aside.
-Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions but cut the cooking time by 2 minutes. Drain and keep warm.
-In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour to the butter and stir over medium/low heat for 1-2 minutes.
-Whisk the evaporated milk into the butter-flour mixture and increase the heat to medium. Add the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and ground mustard.
-Continue cooking until the mixture gets thick and creamy.
-Turn off the heat and stir the shredded cheese into the thickened sauce until completely melted.
-Meanwhile, cook the veggies in the microwave according to the package directions. Drain.
-Pour the cheese sauce over the drained pasta and stir well to combine.
-Add the ham and drained veggies into the pasta cheese mixture. Stir well.
-Pour the pasta into a prepared casserole dish and top with the Parmesan cheese.
-Bake uncovered for 20 minutes and serve.

This Macaroni Ham and Cheese is a wonderful comfort food meal and is the perfect dinner for any cold and snowy evening.

As I type this, the snow is piling up outside and the temperatures are set to plummet to below zero degrees in the next day or so. Wowza!

It's at times like these when I'm thankful to have a little extra meat on my bones to help keep me warm! LOL  Is it so wrong?