Cheesy Macaroni Bake

Real prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4
Side dish suggestions: green salad and fruit

Supplies:

• 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish
• Medium pot
• Colander

From the freezer:

• 3/4 c frozen peas

From the pantry:

• 1 c uncooked elbow macaroni
• cooking spray
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 slice bread (or pre-made bread crumbs work too!)

Fresh:

• 1 c chopped ham
• 1 1/2 c milk
• 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 c shredded swiss cheese
• 1 tbl butter, melted

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cook pasta for 6 minutes in boiling water. Place ham and peas in colander. Dump pasta over ham and peas to drain. Place pasta, ham, and peas in large bowl and set aside.
2. In microwave safe bowl, add milk. Cook 5 minutes or until boiling. Add cheeses, salt, and pepper. Cook five minutes more or until cheese is creamy.
3. Pour cheese sauce into bowl with pasta mixture. Stir. Spoon into baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. Use food processor to pulse bread and butter to make bread crumbs (or use pre-made!). Sprinkle over top of pasta dish.
5. Bake for 20 minutes.

Approx. calories: 475 per serving