Cordon Bleu Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• Breadcrumbs (1/2 cup)
• Cooked chicken (1 cup, chopped)
• Cooked ham (1 cup, chopped)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon)
• Swiss cheese (2 cups, shredded)
• Milk (2 cups)
• All-purpose flour (2 tablespoons)
• Unsalted butter (2 tablespoons)
• Macaroni (2 cups, uncooked)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
2. Cook the macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package instructions for al dente. Drain well and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth paste (this is called a roux).
4. Slowly whisk in the milk into the roux, ensuring no lumps form. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring often, until the sauce thickens.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat, then stir in the shredded Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese has fully melted into the sauce.
6. Add the cooked macaroni, ham, and chicken into the cheese sauce, stirring well to ensure everything is evenly coated in the sauce.
7. Transfer the macaroni mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
8. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the macaroni.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and the cheese sauce is bubbling. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.