Old-Fashioned Ham Macaroni & Cheese Casserole
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
A budget-friendly and comforting bake made with tender macaroni, a creamy white sauce, ham, and cheddar cheese, all finished with a golden breadcrumb topping. Simply delicious and deliciously simple — straight from an old cookbook!
Ingredients
Macaroni
- 350 g macaroni gf macaroni works too
White Sauce
- 80 g butter
- 5 tablespoons cornflour or plain flour
- 4 cups milk
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Add-Ins
- 250 g grated cheddar cheese
- 300 g chopped ham
- 2 tablespoons grated onion
Topping
- 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 60 g grated cheddar cheese
- 40 g melted butter
Instructions
- Cook Macaroni – Boil macaroni in salted water (uncovered) for ~20 minutes or until tender. Drain well.
- Make White Sauce – In a large saucepan, melt butter over moderate heat. Stir in flour and cook until frothy. Add milk all at once and whisk until thick and smooth.
- Season Sauce – Add salt and cayenne. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Combine Filling – Stir in cooked macaroni, ham, shredded cheese, and grated onion until well combined.
- Assemble Casserole – Grease a baking dish and spoon in the macaroni mixture.
- Add Topping – In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole.
- Bake – Bake at 190°C / 375°F for 30–40 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crisp.
Video
Notes
This recipe is based on a beloved old cookbook classic — it’s simple, filling, and always a crowd-pleaser.
- Gluten Free macaroni noodles work well.
- You can use leftover ham or even cooked bacon.
- Add a handful of peas or corn for a little extra colour and veg.
- Great for leftovers — reheat gently in the oven or microwave.