The Batch Lady’s Ham Mac and Cheese with Stuffing Crumbs
This recipe from The Batch Lady is a masterclass in using up lots of your Christmas leftovers in one delicious baked pasta dish, from cheese and ham to stuffing. The perfect recipe to make between Christmas and New Year and can also be made ahead and stored in the freezer.
Introduction
This mac and cheese is the perfect way to use up leftover ham, cheese and stuffing! It is completely delicious and ideal to enjoy between Christmas and New Year.
Ingredients
| 350g | dried pasta (I like to use farfalle) |
| 50g | butter generous |
| ⅓ cup (50g) | plain flour |
| 2 cups (500ml) | milk |
| 1 tsp | Dijon mustard |
| 1½ cups (140g) | grated Cheddar (or any other leftover cheese) |
| 250g | leftover Christmas ham, diced into chunks |
| leftover stuffing | |
| salt and pepper |
Method
If making ahead for the fridge or freezer:
Cook the pasta in a saucepan of boiling water for 9 minutes, then drain and set aside. It will be slightly al dente at this point.
Melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Pour in a small amount of the milk and whisk well to combine. Continue adding the milk slowly, whisking as you go, until all the milk has been added and the sauce has thickened. Remove from the heat.
Stir through the mustard and half of the cheese until melted. Season to taste.
Add the cooked pasta to a large bowl along with the chopped ham, then pour over the sauce and mix well.
Tip the mixture into a 20 x 30cm ovenproof dish, then crumble over the leftover stuffing and the rest of the cheese.
Wrap up well in tin foil and cling film, label and freeze flat.
Once ready to cook:
Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan. Cook the frozen pasta bake, wrapped in its foil, in the oven for 1 hour. Remove the foil 20 minutes before the end to allow the top to become golden.
Air fryer: Remove from the freezer and leave to fully defrost. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Place the pasta bake, wrapped in its foil, in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for a further 15 minutes until piping hot.
If making ahead:
Follow the method in the ‘making ahead’ section up until the end of step 5.
Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan. Cook the pasta bake for 25–30 minutes.
Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Place the pasta bake, wrapped in its foil, in the air fryer for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for a further 10 minutes.
Reviews
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