![]() ![]() Generally speaking, you’ll want to do the majority of the cooking with your casserole covered. When it comes to pasta bakes, whether or not to cover the dish really depends on how much liquid your casserole has, how much pasta is uncovered by sauce, and how you like it cooked. Want extra crispy and gooey cheese on top? Uncover your ham pasta bake for the final 15 minutes of cooking and top with additional cheddar for ultimate cheesiness.Skip the peppercorn and cayenne pepper if you don’t do spicy or have kids with sensitive taste.Add vegetables to your cheesy pasta bake you can toss them in whole or blend them and mix into the cheese sauce!.Skip the regular table salt and opt for a seasoning salt instead (I love this homemade herb salt).I sometimes use 3 different cheeses at a time! Use sharper, more decadent cheeses (like fontina or aged cheddar) for more flavor.Undercook your pasta by two to three minutes it will continue to cook in the oven!.Prepare all of your ingredients while your water comes to a boil and your pasta cooks.If you’re like most home chefs, cooking for little ones can be a struggle they can be the pickiest crowd! When you want your pasta bake to be absolutely perfect, follow these simple tips that I’ve tried and tested for you. Sprinkle the top of your casserole with the remaining parmesan cheese, cover your dish with foil, and cook for about 45 minutes, until the casserole is hot and bubbling. Pour your cheesy sauce over the pasta and ham, mix to combine, and transfer to your greased baking dish or casserole pan.Ĩ. PRO TIP: By mixing in the cheese a handful at a time, and making sure each addition melts before you add more, you can get a really smooth sauceħ. Stir in the cheddar a handful at a time, mixing well until the cheese has all melted into the sauce. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is bubbly, then remove your pot from the heat.Ħ. Slowly add your half-and-half and ⅓ of a cup of parmesan cheese. Add the flour and mix, without stopping, for another 2 minutes – your mixture should be thick and paste-looking at this point.ĥ. ![]() ![]() Cook for 2 more minutes, until the garlic and onions are aromatic. Cook this mixture for about 4 minutes, then add in your garlic.Ĥ. Add your spices: onion, black pepper, cayenne pepper, seasoning salt, and mustard powder. ![]() Melt your butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Combine your cooked pasta and cubed ham into a bowl to set aside while you make a roux and mix up the cheesy sauce PRO TIP: Don’t skip the roux! This step ensures that the cheese will melt perfectly into the sauce without making it clumpy.ģ. (We really like bowtie pasta) I like to get my pasta cooking while I shred my cheese, chop the onion, and gather all my ingredients.Ģ. TIME SAVER: If you don’t have precooked pasta, you’ll need to cook your pasta of choice at this point. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 13” by 9” baking dish or deep round 8” casserole dish. 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (or ½ tsp table salt) (here’s the homemade seasoning salt I use)ġ.How to Make Cheesy Pasta Bake With Ham ngredients: Or you can also simply toss in some lightly steamed broccoli or frozen peas. Want to include a vegetable? This ham pasta bake is the perfect opportunity to use up cooked veggies like asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts from last night’s dinner. This recipe can even be made with a ham steak, canadian bacon, chicken, or turkey!Īs a busy working mom, I love meals that are this versatile. The next time Easter or Christmas roll around, you’ll know exactly what to make with all that deliciously juicy leftover ham. Ham is a major staple for easy dinners and holiday favorites unfortunately, you’re often left with a lot of meat and no idea what to do with it. Grab your favorite pasta and cheese, then bring them together in this decadent, comfort-food, classic casserole. What could be better than a cheesy pasta bake with ham to close out a stressful day? The kids are hungry, and you’ve got leftovers to bust through. It’s a weekday, and you’ve been running around like crazy. This cheesy pasta bake with ham is an easy pasta bake recipe that brings new flavors to a mac and cheese style casserole. ![]()
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