Gruyère and Emmentaler Macaroni with Ham and Cubed Sourdough

Special equipment: 8 x 8 baking dish

Ingredients

serves serves 4, active time 30 minutes , total time 1 hour

• 10 ounces elbow macaroni
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 10 ounces Gruyère, shredded
• 8 ounces Emmentaler, shredded
• 8 ounces Black Forest ham, cut into ½-inch cubes
• 2 cups sourdough bread cubes, each about ½ inch square, crust on

Procedures

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter an 8-by-8-inch baking dish.
   
2. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain through a colander and set aside.
   
3. To prepare the mornay sauce, heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. As soon as the milk starts to steam and tiny bubbles form around the edges of the pan, turn off the heat. Place the butter in a medium saucepan and melt over medium flame. Add the flour and stir with a flat-edge wooden paddle just until the roux begins to take on a light brown color, scraping the bottom to prevent burning, about 3 minutes. Slowly add the milk and stir constantly until the sauce thickens enough to evenly coat the back of a spoon—a finger drawn along the back of the spoon should leave a clear swath. Remove from heat and stir in salt and pepper. Add mustard and cheese to sauce, stirring until completely melted.
   
4. Pour pasta into greased baking dish and toss with ham. Pour the cheese sauce over the top of the pasta and stir gently to incorporate into the ham and noodles. Top liberally with bread cubes, slide into the oven, and bake for 30 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.