Macaroni With Ham and Cheese

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

2. Step 2

   Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil for cooking the macaroni. Add salt to taste. Add the macaroni and cook 10 to 12 minutes, or until tender. Drain and return to pot.

3. Step 3

   Meanwhile, cut the ham into ½-inch cubes and set aside. There should be about 2 cups.

4. Step 4

   Slice the mushrooms. There should be about 2 cups.

5. Step 5

   Cut the Cheddar into slices about ¼ inch thick. Stack the slices and cut them into ¼-inch-wide strips. Cut the strips into ¼-inch cubes. There should be about 2 cups.

6. Step 6

   Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a saucepan and add the flour, stirring with a wire whisk. Cook for about a minute; then add the milk, stirring rapidly with the whisk. Let simmer about 1 minute and add the nutmeg, Cheddar cheese, and salt and black pepper to taste.

7. Step 7

   Heat the remaining tablespoon of butter in a skillet and add the onions and mushrooms. Cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are wilted. Add the ham and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the cheese sauce, the cayenne and cream. Cook, stirring, about 1 minute.

8. Step 8

   Pour and scrape the mixture into the macaroni and mix well. Transfer to a buttered 10-cup baking dish. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese and place in the oven. Bake 10 minutes. Turn the broiler to high.

9. Step 9

   Brown the macaroni and cheese under the broiler until the top is nicely browned, 2 to 3 minutes.