Special Mac And Cheese For A Crowd

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1 lb macaroni
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 (10 ounce) bag frozen peas
• 3 cups ham, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 4 cups milk
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• 3 ounces cream cheese
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• garlic salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• 1/2 cup crouton, crushed

Recipe

• 1 boil macaroni in water with 1 tbsp oil in very large pot until tender.
• 2 add frozen peas for last minute of boiling time.
• 3 drain and keep warm.
• 4 while macaroni is boiling, melt butter in medium sized bowl in microwave.
• 5 add flour to butter and stir until most of lumps are gone.
• 6 add milk all at once and stir to get butter paste incorporated.
• 7 microwave on high 8 to 10 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
• 8 after first 2 minutes add cream cheese.
• 9 continue to stir every 2 minutes until cream cheese is melted in and sauce becomes thick.
• 10 add 1-1/2 cups cheese and stir until melted.
• 11 mix in salt, pepper, garlic salt and ground mustard.
• 12 add to macaroni mixture and stir until sauce is mixed well.
• 13 pour into a 9x13-inch casserole.
• 14 you will probably have enough to fill it and then some. i use two or three 8x8-inch squares.
• 15 top with additional cheese and crushed croutons, bake 30 minutes at 350°f.
• 16 if freezing, leave out last step until ready to bake.