Scalloped Macaroni and Ham

2 C. dried elbow macaroni

1/2 C. chopped onion

1/4 C. margarine or butter

1/4 C. flour

2 tsp. snipped fresh basil or ¼ tsp. dried basil

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 tsp. salt

3 C. milk

2 C. diced fully cooked ham

1 C. frozen peas

1 C. soft bread crumbs*

2 Tbsp. margarine or butter, melted

 Cook macaroni about 10 min. or until tender but still firm.  Drain well.  Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium saucepan cook onion in the 2 Tbsp. margarine or butter till tender, but not brown.  Stir in flour, basil, pepper, and salt.  Add milk all at once.  Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly.  Remove from heat.  Stir in the cooked macaroni, ham, and frozen peas.  Transfer mixture to a 2 qt. casserole dish.  Toss together the bread crumbs and 1 Tbsp. margarine or butter.  Sprinkle crumbs on top of the macaroni mixture.  Bake in 350º oven about 30 min.  or till bubbly.

*Break up 3-4 slices of bread and put in blender on medium setting*

From Better Homes and Gardens