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Macaroni and Cheese with Ham

Source of Recipe


From "Saveur: The New Comfort Food"



List of Ingredients



• 11 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  
• Kosher salt, to taste
  
• 12 ounces pasta, such as rigatoni
  
• 2 slices crustless white bread
  
• 2 tsp minced fresh thyme
  
• 1 small onion, minced
  
• ½ cup flour
  
• 3 cups milk
  
• 2 cups heavy cream
  
• 12 ounces grated sharp Cheddar cheese
  
• 8 ounces cooked ham (any variety will do), roughly chopped
  
• 3 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
  
• ½ cup minced flat-leaf parsley
  
• ¼ tsp hot sauce, such as Tabasco
  
• 4 scallions, minced
  
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  
• â…› tsp freshly ground nutmeg
  






Instructions



1. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon melted butter and set aside. Bring a 6-quart pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, rinse, and set aside. Pulse the bread in a food processor until finely ground, mix with 4 tablespoons butter, and set aside.
   
   
2. Heat the oven to 400° F.
   Melt the remaining butter in a 6-quart pot over medium heat. Add the thyme and onions and cook until soft, about 6 minutes. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 3 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cream. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, whisking, until thick, 10 to 12 minutes. Whisk in the Cheddar, ham, blue cheese, parsley, hot sauce, scallions, pepper and nutmeg. Taste and season with salt as needed.
   
   
3. Stir in the pasta, transfer to the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake until golden brown and bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes.
   
   Serves 8 to 10