Macaroni and Cheese with Asparagus and Prosciutto

This macaroni and cheese with asparagus an prosciutto is made in one pot and is ready in less than an hour. 

This macaroni and cheese is prepared on the stove top in a single pot. It turns out so creamy and flavorful even though you don't have to make a separate béchamel sauce. Everything comes together in the same 4-quart pan. 

This is a wonderful weeknight meal, perfect for when you have to quickly get dinner on the table. In fact, if you wash and cut the asparagus in advance, you can pretty much have dinner on the table within thirty minutes of walking in the door!

Serve this macaroni and cheese with a green salad and dinner is set!

Ingredients You Will Need:

Elbow Macaroni: You can also substitute shells, fusilli, penne, bow ties, or any shorter pasta. 

Asparagus: You can use either thin or thick asparagus. Just adjust the initial cooking time based on the size of the asparagus. 

For the Sauce: Evaporated milk, butter, and eggs.

Fontina Cheese: Fontina cheese is an Alpine cheese originally from northern Italy. It's made with cow's milk, and has a mild, buttery, creamy, and nutty flavor. It can range in texture from semi-soft to hard, depending on the age. 

Prosciutto: Use the thinly sliced prosciutto from the deli section of your grocery store. I love using it for topping pizzas, appetizers, and in sandwiches. 

Chives: Thinly sliced. 

Salt and Pepper. 

How To Make The Mac and Cheese: 

First, bring the asparagus to a boil and cook until just tender. Remove the asparagus from the water in the pot and set aside. 

Next, return the same water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the directions on the package, and then drain through a sieve. Return the pasta to the empty pot and toss with the butter until the butter melts. Whisk the eggs and evaporated milk together and then add the mixture to the pasta in the pot. Cook for two to three minutes. 

After that, add the cheese and cook, over medium low heat, stirring until the cheese has melted. 

Finally, stir in the asparagus, prosciutto, chives, and salt and pepper and serve right away. 

It's another Sunday Funday! This week, we are sharing recipes featuring asparagus! 

• Asparagus Farro from A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Asparagus Three Ways from Our Good Life
• Macaroni and Cheese with Asparagus and Prosciutto from Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Shrimp Pasta Primavera from Food Lust People Love
• Spring Risotto Topped with Shaved Asparagus from Culinary Cam
• Stir Fried Chickpeas and Asparagus from Amy's Cooking Adventures

 

Macaroni and Cheese with Asparagus and Prosciutto

Yield: 4 Servings

Author: Karen Kerr

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 35 Min

This macaroni and cheese with asparagus an prosciutto is made in one pot and is ready in less than an hour. 

Ingredients

• Salt
• 3/4 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk
• 2 large eggs
• 5 ounces Fontina cheese, grated
• 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into thin strips crosswise
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Bring a 4-quart pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus and boil for 3 to 5 minutes, until crisp tender. Skim out the asparagus and set aside in a bowl. Keep warm.
2. Return the water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook according to the package directions. Drain the pasta and return it to the empty pot. Add the butter and cook over low until the butter is melted, about one minute.
3. Whisk together the evaporated milk, eggs, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Pour it over the pasta and cook on medium low, stirring, for about two minutes. Add the cheese and cook, stirring until fully melted, about four minutes.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the asparagus, prosciutto, and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve right away.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

654

Fat (grams)

38 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

20 g

Carbs (grams)

51 g

Fiber (grams)

4 g

Net carbs

48 g

Sugar (grams)

9 g

Protein (grams)

28 g

Cholesterol (grams)

192 mg

https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2025/04/macaroni-and-cheese-with-asparagus-and.html

Karen's Kitchen Stories

pasta, asparagus, mac and cheese

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Recipe adapted from Fine Cooking, April/May 2017.