Macaroni with Ham & Cheese

Preheat oven to 425. Cook macaroni, drain & return to pot. Cut the ham into 1/2" cubes & set aside. There should be about 2 c. Slice the mushrooms. There should be about 2 c. Cut the cheese into slices about 1/4" thick. Stack the slices & cut them into 1/4" wide strips. Cut the strips into 1/4" cubes. There should be about 2 c. Melt 2 Tbs. of butter in a saucepan & add the flour, stirring with a wire whisk. Cook for about a minute
then add the milk, stirring rapidly with the whisk. Let simmer about 1 minute & add the nutmeg, Cheddar cheese & salt & black pepper to taste. Heat the remaining butter in a skillet & add the onions & mushrooms. Cook, stirring, until the mushrooms are wilted. Add the ham & cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the cheese sauce, the cayenne & cream. Cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Pour & scrape the mixture into the macaroni & mix well. Transfer to a buttered 10 c. baking dish. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese & place in the oven. Bake 10 minutes. Turn the broiler to high. Brown the macaroni & cheese under the broiler until the top is nicely browned, 2-3 minutes. Makes 6 generous servings.