Ingredients

The following ingredients have 8 Servings
  • 3 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard
  • kosher salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)
  • 1 cup ham (cubed (optional))
  • 1 cup peas (frozen (optional))
  • 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (shredded (about 4 cups))

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees (if baking).
  • Prepare macaroni according to directions on box, removing from the heat about 1 minute before recommended "al dente" cook time.
  • Check macaroni around the 5 minute mark. You want it to have a bit of bite to it. If making GF noodles, check around 4 minutes.
  • Drain noodles and set aside. 
  • While noodles are cooking, melt butter in a large, oven safe skillet or dutch oven. over medium heat 
  • Slowly add corn starch while stirring constantly with a whisk. 
  • Keep stirring for about 1 minute until the roux becomes bubbly. 
  • Add milk, a little at a time, until sauce becomes thick (you want the consistency of gravy). Add more milk if necessary. If it gets too thin, you can mix a little corn starch with some milk and add it to the mixture to thicken. 
  • Add dry mustard, salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add cooked macaroni to the sauce. Stir well to coat.
  • Add ham and peas and stir to combine.
  • Add cheese (reserving a little if you want to add cheese to the top as a topping).
  • If you want a creamier mac and cheese (not baked) reduce heat and cook on stove top until noodles are cooked through. You may need to add a little milk as needed.
  • To bake, add reserved cheese to the top and place in pre-heated oven for 25-30 minutes or until cheese topping becomes bubbly and golden-brown. (see notes above)
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool for about 3-5 minutes before serving.