Ham Cheese Pasta bake

🍝 Ham & Cheese Pasta Bake (No Packet Mix) 🛒 Ingredients (serves 4): 300 g pasta (penne or fusilli) 200 g diced ham or sliced ham in strips 200 ml cooking cream (or heavy cream for extra richness) 100 ml milk 150 g grated cheese (mild cheddar or gouda) 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tsp mustard (optional – adds a bit of depth) 1 tsp paprika powder Salt and pepper to taste 1 tbsp butter or oil (Optional) a handful of peas or broccoli for some veg (Optional) extra grated cheese or breadcrumbs for topping 🔪 Instructions: Preheat the oven to 200°C / 390°F (180°C / 355°F fan oven). Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Sauté the onion and garlic in a pan with butter or oil until soft and translucent. Add the ham and fry briefly. Pour in the cream and milk. Stir well and let it gently simmer. Stir in mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the grated cheese and stir until melted into a creamy sauce. Add any optional vegetables now (e.g. cooked broccoli or frozen peas). Combine the pasta and sauce in a baking dish. Top with extra cheese or breadcrumbs if desired. Bake for about 20 minutes, until golden and bubbling on top. Optional Variations: Spicy version: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika. Vegetarian version: Skip the ham and add mushrooms, zucchini, or bell pepper. Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and check your cream and mustard. Lactose-free: Use lactose-free cream, milk, and cheese.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200°C / 390°F (180°C / 355°F fan oven).

Step 2

Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Sauté the onion and garlic in a pan with butter or oil until soft and translucent.

Step 4

Add the ham and fry briefly.

Step 5

Pour in the cream and milk. Stir well and let it gently simmer.

Step 6

Stir in mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper.

Step 7

Add the grated cheese and stir until melted into a creamy sauce.

Step 8

Add any optional vegetables now (e.g. cooked broccoli or frozen peas).

Step 9

Combine the pasta and sauce in a baking dish.

Step 10

Top with extra cheese or breadcrumbs if desired.

Step 11

Bake for about 20 minutes, until golden and bubbling on top.