Family Favorite Macaroni, Cheese With Ham Makes Hearty Meal

Who has time for a hearty, home-cooked meal during the middle of the week? You do, with the help of an old-fashioned recipe for macaroni and cheese.

In this dish, cooked macaroni is smothered with a creamy, rich sauce of Cheddar cheese and low-fat evaporated milk. It takes just minutes to prepare and requires only an accompanying fresh green salad to complete the meal.

Old-Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese With Ham

Recipe from the California Milk Advisory Board.

7-ounce package macaroni, cooked and drained

1 pound cooked ham, ground or finely diced

1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese, ground or shredded

12-ounce can low-fat evaporated milk, undiluted

Grease a 9- by 13-inch glass baking dish.

In a large bowl, mix cooked macaroni, ham and cheese until well blended. Spoon into baking dish. Evenly pour the evaporated milk over ingredients in the baking dish.

Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven for 55 to 65 minutes or until top of dish is crispy brown and bubbling. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 461 calories, 28 grams protein, 22 grams carbohydrate, 28 grams fat (55 percent fat calories), 85 milligrams cholesterol, 895 milligrams sodium.