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Mac and Cheese with Ham Casserole

This mac-and-cheese with ham casserole is one of my favorite meals to prepare in advance.

Mac and cheese casserole topped with fried onions.

Besides being super easy to make, it is delicious and doesn’t need a side–that is, unless you want one. This is an easy family dinner under $10.

That said, I still like to have something on the side to add color to the plate. Even if you add a vegetable, you’ll still wind up with a budget-friendly meal. One of my favorite sides, this tomato cucumber salad, is the perfect accompaniment to any casserole.

Regular or Gluten-Free Mac and Cheese

Before I discovered my gluten intolerance, I used regular elbow noodles. For a while, after I discovered my issue, I would make separate casseroles so everyone would be happy.

Now I use gluten-free pasta to serve to everyone, and no one can tell the difference. I love the fact that so many companies are working hard to create delicious gluten-free options.

Make-Ahead Casserole

Whether you have a late meeting or you like to just like to prepare meals ahead of time, you can do that with this casserole. Set the oven to timed bake or pop it into the oven when you first get home.

Then go about your business for about 30 minutes while it gets bubbly hot. The beauty of modern southern cuisine is that it doesn’t have to keep you in the kitchen all day.

My grandmothers used to spend hours in the kitchen, but fortunately, a lot of gadgets like these make life so much easier these days.

The Joy of Mac and Cheese

There are quite a few reasons so many people put this creamy dish at the top of their comfort food list. It’s an easy dish to prepare.

It can be either the main entrée or a side to beef, pork, chicken, or fish. Above all, it’s a delicious, rich, creamy, and versatile southern food.

Easy mac and cheese casserole with fried onions on top.

Mac and Cheese as a Main Dish

While there are times when I prepare mac and cheese as a side, more often than not, I treat it as the main dish.

Adding a little bit of meat adds flavor, texture, and nutrition. Mix in some green or red vegetables, and you’ll have the color to make it pop on the plate.

The beauty of any casserole is that it is, by nature, a one-dish meal. Even my chicken-and-rice casserole can stand alone have a simple side salad as an accompaniment.

Gluten-free elbow macaroni tastes just as good as regular.

Boil the elbow macaroni according to the directions on the box. I like it cooked but still firm.

Steamed broccoli adds flavor, texture, and nutrition to the casserole.

While the elbow pasta is boiling, steam some broccoli. After it is done, chop it into small pieces.

Diced ham adds flavor to the mac and cheese casserole.

Mix in some diced ham that you’ve diced or purchased prepackaged.

Chopped broccoli added to the mac and cheese with ham

After you mix in the broccoli, stir well. You may want to mix in the jalapeños now or add later.

Shredded cheese mixed into mac and cheese casserole mixture

Next, pour the milk into the mixture. Then add shredded cheese, mix into the casserole, and stir well.

Mac and cheese casserole in a greased casserole dish.

Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and then pour in the mac and cheese mixture.

Top the casserole with jalapeños for an extra kick of flavor.

If you want a lot of spice, top with the jalapeños.

Sprinkle the fried onions over the top and gently press into the top of the casserole.

Boxed or Homemade

Although you may use boxed mac and cheese, it’s just as easy to make it from scratch. All you need are a few fresh ingredients, and the made-from-scratch version will taste much better.

Additions to a Mac and Cheese Casserole

Wally and I both enjoy a variety of texture, so adding a bit of crunch to a creamy mac-and-cheese entrée is a no-brainer.

Aldi started carrying gluten-free fried onion crisps (the kind we use on the traditional green bean casserole). Now that this option is available, I’m in “hog heaven.”

Another thing we enjoy is heat. Sometimes I add sliced jalapeños, while other times I simply sprinkle in a little ground cayenne.

Mac and cheese, green beans, and tomatoes provide a delicious and colorful dinner.
Macaroni and cheese casserole

If you’re looking for more comfort food meals, here’s one you’ll enjoy: Mock Swiss Steak Dinner. It’s also budget friendly!

For more great recipes, check out some of my favorite sites:

Southern Plate
Back to My Southern Roots
Julia’s Simply Southern
The Country Cook
Big Bear’s Wife
Chef Alli
Miz Helen’s Country Cottage

Yield: 8 servings

Mac and Cheese with Ham Casserole

Mac and cheese casserole with ham, jalapeños, and fried onions.

This can be made with either regular or gluten-free elbow pasta. Either way, it's a delicious and comforting main dish.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 box elbow pasta
  • 1-1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup diced ham
  • 1 cup broccoli (or peas)
  • 1 cup milk (regular or almond)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Jalapeños or cayenne (optional)
  • French fried onions (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Cook the pasta according the directions on the package.
  3. While the pasta is cooking, steam and chop the broccoli. 
  4. Mix the ham and broccoli into the pasta.
  5. Add the butter, milk, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Stir well.
  6. Pour the mixture into the greased casserole dish.
  7. Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top of the mixture.
  8. Put the sliced jalapenos on the top if you choose to add them.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. 
  10. Remove the foil, add the fried onions (if you want them), and put back into the oven to allow the top to brown.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

3/4 cup

Amount Per Serving Calories 209Saturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 5gCholesterol 43mgSodium 388mgCarbohydrates 10gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 12g

Did you make this recipe?

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Mother of 3

Thursday 24th of January 2019

Yum! We add diced ham and peas (or broccoli) to our mac and cheese too! I never thought to top it with French fried onions but we do like a crunchy Ritz cracker topping. We'll have to try these little twists you added; Pinned.

southernhomeexpress

Thursday 24th of January 2019

I think you'll like the fried onion topping. It's definitely something different that will have people going back for more. Thank you for pinning it!

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