Macaroni And Cheese With Ham

Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins Preparation Time: 55 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 head garlic (yes i mean one head)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large shallots, minced
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon finely grated lemon, rind of
• 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 lb ditalini or 1 lb conchiglie
• 8 ounces westphalian ham or 8 ounces black forest ham, cut into 1/4 inch pieces (about 2 cups)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350*f cut top 1/4 inch off head of garlic to expose cloves.
• 2 place, cut side up on a sheet of foil.
• 3 drizzle with 1/2 tbs oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• 4 wrap with foil to enclose tightly.
• 5 bake until skin is golden brown and cloves are tender, about 55 minutes.
• 6 cool and squeezze cloves from skin.
• 7 heat remaining 1 tbs oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• 8 add shallots; saute until tender, about 4 minutes.
• 9 whisk in milk, cream, thyme, lemon peel and roasted garlic.
• 10 simmer over medium heat until reduced to 2 3/4 cups, about 30 minutes.
• 11 reduce heat to low and stir in cheeses gradually.
• 12 meanwhile cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally.
• 13 drain well.
• 14 toss cheese sauce, pasta, ham and parsley in a large bowl.
• 15 season to taste with salt and pepper.