Spicy Jalapeño Ham Mac N’ Cheese

Name: Spicy Jalapeño Ham Mac N’ Cheese
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb Cavatappi (or your favorite pasta); 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1/2 red onion, diced; 1/4 cup jalapeño, diced; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1.5 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp oregano; 1 tsp thyme; 1 tsp mustard; 5 cups milk; 1 cup sour cream; 10 oz cheddar cheese, grated; 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated (reserve 1 cup for topping); 1 cup fontina cheese, grated; 1 lb ham, cubed; Parsley, for garnish

Spicy Jalapeno Ham Mac N Cheese Recipe 400x333 1

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 12

Total Time: 60 minutes

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Our take on mac ‘n cheese with a kick.

Add some flavor to your mac ‘n cheese with Hobe’s Country Ham. Our take on America’s beloved side dish includes cheesy mac ‘n cheese combined with our fully cooked country ham plus a spicy jalapeno kick! Watch our simple step-by-step video to see how it’s done.

Easy step-by-step video

We’ve made it easy for you with a step-by-step video for this recipe. Simplifying mealtime and creating lasting memories!

Ingredients and Method

Ingredients

1 lb. Cavatappi, or your favorite pasta
½ cup unsalted butter
½ red onion, diced
¼ cup jalapeño, diced
½ cup all-purpose flour
1.5 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp mustard
5 cups milk
1 cup sour cream
10 oz cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
1 cup fontina cheese, grated
1 lb. ham, cubed
Parsley for garnish

Instructions

Boil a large pot of salted water and add 1lb. of your favorite pasta. Cook until just al dente. Drain, lightly rinse, and set aside.
In a large pot, melt butter and add the red onion and jalapeño. Sweat the aromatics in the butter over low-medium heat for 4-6 minutes until onions are translucent. Whisk in the flour until a roux is formed.
Slowly add the milk a little bit at a time, mixing the milk into the roux thoroughly before adding more. Once the milk is thoroughly combined, add the sour cream and mix until well combined Heat the mixture and add in all the herbs and spices, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly. Once the desired thickness is reached, add the cheeses. Reserve 1 cup of mozzarella for later.
Bring heat to medium and allow the pot to rest for about a minute for the cheese to begin to melt. Mix until smooth, then add in the cubed ham and allow to cook for about 2 -3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add in your pasta and mix well.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and pour the contents into a large 9×13 baking dish. Cover the top with the remaining mozzarella and bake for about 20-30 minutes, or until the top is a light golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Let rest for a few minutes before garnishing with chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!
We’ve made it easy for you with a step-by-step video for this recipe. Simplifying mealtime and creating lasting memories!