Kozy Kitchen and Home

An elegant and delicious take on macaroni and cheese

Macaroni and cheese is one of my all-time favorite comfort foods and I’ve been making it for years. Using bowtie pasta gives this dish a touch of elegance, while the addition of ham and a crunchy topping of french fried onions elevates both the flavor and texture beyond classic comfort food.

I recommend using a ham steak for this recipe so the juices can infuse the sauce as it bakes. If you have leftover ham, you can use that instead—it works great too and is a wonderful way to repurpose your remaining ham!

Ingredients

• 1 lb mini farfalle (bowtie) pasta
• ¾ to 1 lb ham steak, cut into ¼ to ½ inch cubes
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, plus ½ cup for topping
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack (or mozzarella) cheese
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ cup French fried onions – crushed

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Dice your ham into ¼ to ½ inch pieces. Crush the French fried onions into small pieces.
2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain.
3. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir until completely combined; cook for 1 minute. Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble. Stir in the onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Add the cheeses a little at a time, stirring until fully melted and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
5. Add the drained pasta and diced ham to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the pasta and ham, then gently mix to combine everything well.
6. Mix the crushed French fried onions with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese and sprinkle over the top.
7. Bake until the cheese is bubbly and the topping is golden brown, about 30 to 45 minutes. If the topping browns too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot, alongside a fresh salad or steamed colorful vegetables for a complete meal.

Try mixing a cup or two of frozen veggies into the dish before baking if you want to make it a complete one dish meal.

Share Your Story

How do you like to elevate your macaroni and cheese? Do you prefer classic comfort food, or do you enjoy adding new ingredients for extra flavor and flair?