Mac and Cheese

I have ruined my own children, they only like the Mac and Cheese in a box.
Because that is all I made for 10 years. May the culinary gods forgive me.

1 Box Pasta - Shells, Elbows etc.
1 8 oz. block SHARP cheddar, grated and DIVIDED
4 oz Swiss or other cheese... could be cheddar, american... check the ice box
1 - 2 C chopped leftover ham
1 egg
12 - 16 Ritz crackers, crushed or 1/2 C breadcrumbs

6x6 roux = 6 TBS butter 6 or 7 TBS flour
3 C milk or a combo of Milk and half and half or cream (using up ingredients here)

2 TBS butter
1/2-1 tsp salt
1/2-1 tsp pepper
1/2-1 tsp hot paprika or cayenne

grease (butter) a pyrex(r) brownie pan (8x11)

preheat oven to 375 (400 for a crispier crust?)

sautee crackers or beadcrumbs in remaining butter

make a roux by heating 6 tbs butter and blending in 6 tbs flour
add milk slowly, stirring
stir in 1/2 cheddar and other cheese + egg while stirring until thick and creamy
stir in spices
pour 1/2 noodles in pan
pour 1/2 sauce mixture over noodles
add all of ham, spreading over noodles
add other half of cheddar cheese, spreading over noodles
add remainder of sauce

top with cracker / breadcrumb mixture

bake for 30 min at 375.