Comfort food has reached new heights! Ham & Corn Pasta Bake is filled with the summery sweetness of corn paired with the salty savoriness of ham, all mixed with your favorite pasta. With a creamy, rich, cheesy sauce, Ham & Corn Pasta Bake is perfect for summertime sunset suppers and winter nights by the fire. It’s a comfort food for all seasons!
Ingredients
For the pasta: • 8 ounces long pasta, of your choice • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1/2 medium onion, finely diced • 3/4 cup frozen corn • 1 cup thick-cut ham, cooked, about 1/8-inch thick, and cut into 1x1/2-inch strips For the sauce: • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 2 cups whole milk • ground nutmeg, to taste • 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded • 3 thin slices provolone cheeseDirections
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Bring a large sized pot of water to a boil over a high heat.
Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions.
Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
Drain and rinse the pasta with faucet water until it is cool.
In a medium skillet over a medium-low heat, heat up 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
Add in the onions and sauté until the onions are softened, about 3-5 minutes.
Add in the frozen corn and the ham until it is all warmed through, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
Melt the unsalted butter in a medium pot over medium-low heat.
Add in the flour and mix for 2 minutes using a whisk.
Gradually whisk in the milk until it is completely mixed and smooth with no lumps.
Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, making sure to whisk occasionally. This keeps it from sticking to the bottom.
Reduce the heat to low.
Mix in the mozzarella with the whisk, stirring it until it is fully incorporated.
Add the nutmeg.
Seasoning with salt and pepper, stir in the cooked ham mixture. If the mixture is too thick, you can thin it out with the pasta water you pulled out earlier.
Add the pasta, and mix to ensure it is fully incorporated.
Move the pasta into a baking dish.
Top the pasta with the provolone cheese.
Bake the dish until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow the pasta to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
