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Coquillettes au Jambon – French Macaroni and Cheese with Ham

Coquillettes au Jambon is a delightful twist on the classic macaroni and cheese, combining tender pasta with creamy cheese and savory ham—perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: French
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Coquillettes au Jambon
  • 250 g coquillettes pasta small shell-shaped pasta
  • 200 g cooked ham diced
  • 200 ml whole milk
  • 100 g Gruyère cheese grated
  • 50 g Parmesan cheese grated
  • 30 g butter
  • 30 g all-purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the coquillettes pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously for about 2 minutes to create a roux.
  3. Step 3: Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
  4. Step 4: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Step 5: Add the cooked pasta and diced ham to the cheese sauce, stirring until well combined and heated through.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley.

Notes

You can prepare the cheese sauce ahead of time and combine it with the pasta just before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.