Spicy Ham And Tomato Macaroni And Cheese Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
• 1 -2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 1/2 cups half-and-half cream (can use half of each to make 4-1/2 cups) or 4 1/2 cups full-fat milk (can use half of each to make 4-1/2 cups)
• 1 (28 ounce) can plum tomatoes, well drained and chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• 2 cups chopped cooked ham (or to taste)
• 1 lb elbow macaroni (cooked only to very firm-tender and drained)
• 3 cups cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 375 degrees.
• 2 butter a 3-quart casserole dish or a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• 3 in a large heavy saucepan melt the butter and cook the onion, garlic, jalapenos, coriander and cumin over low heat, stirring until the onion has softened.
• 4 stir in flour and cook stirring for 3 minutes.
• 5 add in half and half cream and/or milk; bring to a boil, whisking until mixture thickens (about 2 minutes).
• 6 add in well-drained tomatoes; simmer for 2 minutes.
• 7 add in cayenne, salt and pepper.
• 8 in a large bowl, mix together cooked macaroni, and tomato/cream mixture.
• 9 add in the chopped cooked ham.
• 10 stir in the cheddar cheese to combine.
• 11 transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
• 12 in a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese, then sprinkle over the casserole.
• 13 bake on the second-lowest oven rack for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.