Dinner Mac and Cheese

1 (16-oz.) package uncooked cellentani (corkscrew) pasta
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups milk
1-1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (8-oz.) bag Queso white cheese, shredded
1 (3-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped cooked turkey ham
2 cups frozen peas
1 1/4 cups crushed round buttery crackers

***Once the milk, flour and butter are at a boiling point, turn off the heat and add the cheese whisking constantly.
***Once the pasta and turkey ham were cooked I threw it into a large mixing bowl with the frozen peas. I then added the cheese which was a lot easier to stir and then place in the baking dish.

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Prepare cellentani pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, melt 3 Tbsp. butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth; cook, whisking constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Whisk in 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese and next 3 ingredients until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in ham, vegetables, and hot cooked pasta.
3. Spoon pasta mixture into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Stir together crushed cracker crumbs and 2 Tbsp. melted butter; sprinkle over pasta mixture.
4. Bake at 400° for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.


Serving Size: 8 servings

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user KSCHERBR.