Hearty Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 0.3 teaspoon pepper black freshly ground
• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1.5 cups ham diced cooked
• 8 ounce elbow macaroni 
• 2 tablespoons flour all-purpose
• 0.1 teaspoon ground pepper red
• 2 cups milk 
• 0.5 small onion chopped
• 1 cup peas green frozen thawed
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 8 ounce block sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan
• whisk
• dutch oven

Directions

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.
2. Drain and keep warm.
3. Saut ham and onion in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat 5 minutes; stir in peas and next 3 ingredients. Set aside.
4. Melt butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low heat; whisk in flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, and cook, whisking constantly, 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese, stirring until melted. Stir in cooked pasta and ham mixture.
7. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.
8. Serve immediately.