Fancy Mac and Cheese

I love fancy food. Fancy food to me just means that there is something to take a dish over the top or make it special. This mac and cheese is FANCY. Well, as fancy as mac and cheese can get anyway. Onions, garlic, lemon, ham, and garlicky bread crumbs on top make for such a good mac and cheese. This takes a little more time than I usually spend on dinner, but it makes a lot and it was definitely worth the work.

Ingredients:
1 T garlic oil (directions below)
1/2 red onion, minced
4 c half and half
1/4 tsp dried thyme
Zest of 1/2 a lemon
5 roasted garlic cloves, minced (directions below)
1/2 c grated Parmesan
2 c shredded Cheddar
4 ounces cooked ham, cubed
1 pound pasta, cooked al dente
1 c Italian bread crumbs
1/2 c grated Parmesan
2 T garlic oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Roasted garlic and garlic oil: In a small oven proof dish, like a ramekin, put 5 garlic cloves and 3-4 T olive oil. Season with a little salt and pepper and cover with foil. Bake at 375 for about 30-35 minutes. Let cool and then you can use oil and garlic

Heat 1 T of garlic oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. When oil is shimmering, add minced onion and cook until tender. Add half and half, thyme, zest, and the minced roasted garlic. Cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes, until it's reduced almost by half. Add the first of the Parmesan and the Cheddar. Stir until all combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the ham and toss in the pasta. Preheat oven to 350. Put pasta mixture in a greased baking dish. Combine the bread crumbs and rest of the Parmesan. Spread evenly over pasta. Drizzle remaining garlic oil over top to help brown the breadcrumbs and give flavor. Bake for 20 minutes.