Tasso Ham 'Mac' with Crispy Fried Onions

A creamy macaroni and cheese dish seasoned with a flavorful burst of Cajun Tasso ham. The blend of flavors takes comfort food to the next level!

Ingredients

• For the Sauce:  ·   
• Butter  ·  1/4 cup 
• Flour  ·  1/4 cup 
• Milk  ·  2 1/2 cup 
• Fontina Cheese  ·  2 1/2 cup 
• Herbie's Herb de Provence  ·  2 tablespoons 
• For the Filling:  ·   
• Ham, small diced  ·  2 cups 
• Leeks, thinly sliced  ·  2 cups 
• Peas  ·  2 cups 
• Butter  ·  2 tablespoons 
• French's Crispy Fried Onions  ·  1 cup 
• Cavatappi Pasta, any macaroni style pasta will work  ·  1 pound 
• Olive Oil  ·  1 tablespoon 

Instructions

For the Filling:

1. Bring a large pot a water to a boil.
2. Season well with salt and add the Pasta and cook according to the package until the pasta is al dente.
3. Strain over the sink, add the pasta back to the large pot and coat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
4. Set Aside.
5. Next, heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
6. When the butter melts add the leeks and cook for10 min while stirring frequently.
7. Cook until the leeks begin to caramelize, then add the diced ham and cook for 2 min.
8. Finish by adding the peas and remove from the heat, set aside.

For the Sauce:

1. Make a roux by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium high heat.
2. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and whisk to combine.
3. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 min until golden, whisking constantly and while whisking, slowly add the milk to the butter/flour mixture to a simmer and continue cooking, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, approximately 4 to 5 min. DO NOT BOIL.
4. Stir the cheese into the mixture and remove from heat. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully incorporated.

For the Finale:

1. When the sauce comes together pour it into the large sauce pot with the ham and leek mixture.
2. Now that everything is in one pot, add the pasta to the finished sauce and continuously fold with a rubber spatula until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
3. Pour the 'mac' into a large serving dish and top with French's crispy fried onions.

Serve immediately and enjoy with a glass of Clarissa Vin Rouge.

Jenny's Tip: - if you can't get Tasso it's still delicious made with ham.