Cheddar Mac And Cheese From Parent Magazine

Total Time: 57 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 42 mins

Ingredients

• 1 lb farfalle pasta
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 lb cheddar cheese, shredded (about 4 cups)
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed
• 1/2 lb finely diced smoked ham (such as cumberland gap)

Recipe

• 1 1. heat oven to 350°. coat 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. cook pasta in lightly salted water following package directions, about 12 minutes. drain.
• 2 2. while pasta is cooking, melt butter in a medium-size, heavy-bottomed saucepan (not nonstick) over medium heat. stir in flour until well blended; cook 1 minute. whisk in 1 cup of milk and cook, whisking continuously, until smooth. whisk in remaining 1 cup milk and continue to cook, whisking until thickened and smooth, about 5 minutes. remove from heat; stir in salt, pepper and nutmeg. whisk in 2 cups of the cheese until smooth.
• 3 3. in a large bowl, mix together the pasta, cheese sauce and 1 cup of the remaining cheese. stir in the peas and ham. pour into prepared baking dish. scatter remaining 1 cup cheese evenly over the top.
• 4 4. bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly. remove from oven; allow to cool 10 minutes. may be served warm or at room temperature.