Can you make and store macaroni with cheese and ham in advance?

Yes, you can make this dish in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Keep the macaroni for a maximum of 2-3 days in the fridge and reheat it in the oven before serving.

Can I make this dish without ham?

Yes, you can also make this dish without ham for a vegetarian option. You can add extra vegetables, such as bell peppers or mushrooms, to enhance the flavor and texture.

Can I also bake this macaroni with ham and cheese sauce in the oven?

Absolutely! While this macaroni is already wonderfully creamy straight from the pot, you can certainly give it a crispy topping. Spoon the macaroni into an oven dish, sprinkle an extra handful of Emmentaler or Parmesan over it (possibly mixed with some breadcrumbs), and place the dish under the oven grill for a good 5 to 10 minutes until you have a golden-brown, bubbling crust.

What cheese works best in this macaroni and cheese with ham recipe?

In this recipe, we choose Emmental because this cheese melts wonderfully smoothly and provides that typical, mild flavour that children love. The Parmesan cheese at the end, in turn, provides that delicious, savoury umami kick. Do you want a spicier sauce? Then you can perfectly replace part of the Emmental with a tangy Oud Brugge cheese or a mature cheddar!

Mac and cheese with ham

Name: Mac and cheese with ham
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4P
Ingredients: 500 g macaroni; 6 thick slices of ham; 300 g freshly grated Emmental cheese; 30 g butter; 40 g flour; 700 ml cold milk; Pepper and salt; Pinch of nutmeg; Block of Parmesan cheese

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40min

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If there's one dish that exudes pure nostalgia, comfort, and coziness, it's a steaming plate of macaroni with cheese and ham. It's an absolute super classic that could truly be on the menu every day in our home. The secret to the most delicious macaroni with ham and cheese sauce? We skip the ready-made sauces and make a delicious, velvety béchamel sauce ourselves. Mix in those delicious cubes of cooked ham, grate some fresh Parmesan cheese over it at the end, and... dig in!

If there's one dish that exudes pure nostalgia, comfort, and coziness, it's a steaming plate of macaroni with cheese and ham. It's an absolute super classic that could truly be on the menu ...

Ingredients

What do you need?

Quantity: 4P

500 g macaroni
6 thick slices of ham
300 g freshly grated Emmental cheese
30 g butter
40 g flour
700 ml cold milk
Pepper and salt
Pinch of nutmeg
Block of Parmesan cheese

Preparation method

How do you make this?

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Cut the ham into cubes.

Cook the macaroni as per the package instructions.

Melt the butter in a large pot and let it foam, add the flour all at once and let it cook for a moment until it lightly colors, pour in part of the milk, whisk vigorously to remove all lumps, season well with pepper, salt, and nutmeg if you like.

Pour in the rest of the milk and bring to a boil while stirring continuously, once it has boiled well, stir in the cheese and pasta, then add the ham, and mix well together.

Generously finish with freshly grated Parmesan.

Everyone happy at the table!