Cheesy Ham and Macaroni

Become a hero with your kids when you serve this creamy, stove-top combination of cheese, ham, and macaroni. Better yet, invite your kids to help you make it. Serve with apple slices.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 cup loose pack frozen green peas
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
7 ounces macaroni, cooked according to directions, drained
1 1/2 cups fully-cooked ham

Cooking Directions:

1. Thaw the frozen peas in a sieve with cold running water, drain well; set aside.
2. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook over medium, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly, about 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Stir in milk or other liquid. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.
4. Stir in cheeses, salt and pepper. Add macaroni, ham and peas and cook, stirring just until heated through. Serve hot.

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of National Pork Board.