Derby Sage Mac and Cheese with Ham
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 6 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 6 servings
- Calories
- 844
- Total Fat
- 40
- Saturated Fat
- 22
- Carbohydrates
- 76
- Dietary Fiber
- 5
- Sugar
- 10
- Protein
- 44
- Cholesterol
- 131
- Sodium
- 1286
- Total: 1 hr 10 min
- Prep: 15 min
- Cook: 55 min
Ingredients
Salt
1 pound cavatappi hollow pasta curls or penne rigate or macaroni with lines
4 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 shallots, finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons flour
3 cups milk
12 ounces crumbled Sage Derby (green-veined sage-scented Cheddar)
12 ounces baked or boiled ham, 1/4-inch thick sliced, and chopped
One 10- to 12-ounce package frozen chopped organic spinach, defrosted and wrung dry
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Directions
- Heat a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Salt the boiling water and cook the pasta just shy of al dente, 5 to 6 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat a deep skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Melt the butter and when it foams, add the garlic and shallots, then season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle in the flour, whisk for 1 minute. Then whisk in the milk and thicken the sauce to coat the back of a spoon. Melt in the Sage Derby cheese, then add the ham. Separate the spinach as you stir it into sauce as well. Toss the pasta with the sauce, and pour into a casserole dish, top with the Parm. Cool and reserve for a make-ahead meal.
- To serve, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Bake from room temp until brown and bubbly, 35 to 45 minutes.