Ham, Peas, Mac and Cheese

My friend gave me an old issue of Cooking Light magazine and I found this recipe. The reviews weren't great but I thought I could make it great. Below is my version.

Ingredients: 

12 oz of Eating Light veggie elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups chopped ham
1 1/2 cups frozen peas 
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of flour
3 cups milk (I used one cup of heaving cream and two cups of organic whole)
4 cups of sharp cheddar
1 teaspoon of garlic salt
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1/4 teaspoon of paprika
1/8 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon of italian herbs
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup of panko crumbs

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 400°.
Cook pasta in boiling water 6 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain. Combine pasta, ham, and peas in a large bowl.
Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt butter then add flour. Cook until flour has soaked up all the butter. Add milk; bring to simmer and whisk. Dip a spoon in and run your finger down the middle of the back. If sauce stays separate, it's done. Remove from heat; stir in cheese, seasonings, salt, and peppers. Pour cheese mixture over pasta mixture; stir to coat. Spoon pasta into a 13 x 9 glass baking dish coated with cooking spray.
Sprinkle panko over the top. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
This feeds 8 people. Enjoy!