I'm a coinsure...

of Mac & Cheese! I think I've mentioned that I have a little "Southern" in me. I lived in Alabama as a kid and I served a mission for my church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) in South Carolina. I've eaten some of the best Mac & Cheese the South has to offer and through my travels I collected over 14 different recipes for Mac & Cheese from what I would consider the best southern home cooks on the map. Through the years I've also collected Mac & Cheese recipes from all my favorite chef's like Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, Rachel Ray, etc...

Armed with the assortment and variety of recipes. I've come up with my very own favorite Mac & Cheese recipe. Then I added a little veggies for my baby and meat for my man. It turned out pretty darn good. So before you start that New Years diet. Squeeze in a little comfort food for one last meal.

Enjoy!


HAM & BROCCOLI MACARONI AND CHEESE
(Mindi Original)

3 cups elbow macaroni
3 C. fresh broccoli, chopped
1 C. diced ham
2 T. butter
1T. veg. oil
½ onion, graded or finely minced
1 clove garlic, minced
3 T. flour
2 C. cream
2 C. chicken stock
1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 T. hot sauce
2 C. mozzarella cheese, grated
2 C. cheddar cheese grated
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1/2 cup grated sharp Cheddar
1 C. panko bread crumbs


1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, decreasing the cooking time of the pasta by 2 minutes. Add the fresh broccoli to the pasta water and let it cook right along with the pasta. Drain the pasta and broccoli, reserving ½ C. of the pasta water. Set aside.
3. Using the same stock pot, melt butter. Add the veg. oil, onion, garlic, and ham. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the flour and stir until well incorporated. Cook for about 2 minutes.
5. Add the chicken stock and cream. Cook until it starts to thicken.
6. Add the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce.
7. Add all the cheeses and stir until the cheeses melt and the sauce comes together.
8. Add the pasta and broccoli turn off the heat and allow to set for about 5 minutes.
9. Pour the mixture into a 9x13 pan. Top with the bread crumbs.
10. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until the pasta has absorbed the sauce well and the edges are crispy and bubbly.