Fancy Macaroni & Cheese

Just for you, Caitlin. :) Hope your family likes it. We LOVE it!

*1 lb. medium-sized shell pasta (I like whole wheat, but it is harder to find)
*8 oz. chopped smoked ham
*1 1/2 cups half and half (you can use milk, but it won't be as creamy)
*1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
*1 cup grated Monterrey jack cheese
*1/2 cup grated Havarti cheese (this is a little harder to find. HEB always has it)
*1 tsp crushed rosemary (not powdered)
*pepper to taste ( I just use a little)
*1 cup crushed crackers or breadcrumbs (I use crushed Ritz crackers)
*1 Tbsp butter, melted
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1. In a large pot, boil pasta in salted water until done.
2. Drain the pasta and return to pot.
3. Add the chopped ham, half and half, cheese (except Parmesan), rosemary and pepper.
4. Stir until well combined and transfer to a greased 9x13 dish.
5. In a separate bowl, combine your crackers or bread crumbs, butter and Parmesan cheese.
6. Sprinkle, evenly, over the top of pasta.
7. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for approximately 25 minutes.
8. Remove foil and bake and additional 5-10 minutes, until a little toasty brown on top.

Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:
1 pkg cranberries, chopped
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple
2 apples (Rome, Jonathan, Fuji, or other cooking apple), chopped
2 small pkgs black cherry Jello
1½ cups sugar or more to taste


Directions:
Mix together the cranberries, pineapple, and apples.
Dissolve Jello in 2 cups boiling water and add to fruit. (Do not add the cold water per Jello box instructions.)
Add the sugar and mix everything together well.
Refrigerate until partially set.

**This recipe doesn't say to drain the pineapple, so I don't. And it doesn't say to peel the apples, so I don't. I just use my food processor to chop up all the cranberries and apples. It's easy to make. Enjoy!!**

Young's Dairy Sweet Potato Casserole

**We have started to make this for Thanksgiving!!!

5 lbs Sweet Potatoes
1 cup Granulate Sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 cup milk

Topping
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup Pecan Pieces

Blend first 6 ingredients together. Pour into a greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Blend topping ingredients together and sprinkle over sweet potato mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 35-45 minutes, or until top is slightly brown. Cool 15 minutes before serving.