Ham and Veggie Mac n' Cheese

   

       Simple, hearty, filling, cheap and healthier mac and cheese. Use up leftover ham, throw in some frozen veggies and a few fresh chopped ones, smother it all in a cream sauce with skim milk and sharp cheddar and toss it with healthy whole wheat pasta. It's about halfway between mac and cheese and a vegetable casserole because of the ratio of noodles to veggies, but it's great that way! It's a mac and cheese you don't have to feel bad about stuffing your face with (to an extent....) ;P

          Just like most recipes I post, there is plenty of room for alterations. I used steamed frozen broccoli, frozen corn, chopped onion and red bell pepper, but there are endless options. You could use frozen green beans or a frozen mixed vegetable mixture (peas, corn, carrots etc) and of course any type of bell pepper. Just load in the vegetables, whatever you have on hand, and pack in the nutrients!

If you aren't too used to eating whole wheat pasta, try using half whole wheat noodles and half regular. This is what my mom does with her home ec class, and you can hardly tell the difference!

Ham and Veggie Mac n' Cheese

Ingredients:

10 oz whole wheat pasta

3 tbsp butter

1/4 cup flour

1 tbsp minced garlic

2 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tsp oregano

12 oz frozen broccoli, steamed

1-2 cups leftover ham, chopped

3/4 cup corn (canned or frozen)

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 medium onion, chopped

Optional topping:

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

2 tbsp melted butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350

Cook pasta according to package directions

Heat 3 tbsp butter in saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, quickly stir in flour, then add garlic. Pour in milk, and wisk. Let cook over stove for 2-3 minutes, until it's thickened a bit. Add in cheese, ham, oregano and vegetables. Mix pasta in with cheese mixture and pour into 9x13 inch baking dish. 

For topping, mix together butter, bread crumbs and parmesan cheese and top noodles with it. 

Bake for about 20 minutes or until outsides are bubbling.