About
This simple pasta bake combines pasta, ham, and cheese for an easy dinner that’s filling. Rotini pasta is covered in a ham and cheese sauce and baked with extra cheese on top — it's decadent, to be sure, but so very worth it. Pair the Easy Ham & Cheese Pasta Bake with a light green salad and some roasted veggies to make it more of a balanced meal. Alternatively, you can embrace the indulgence of Easy Ham & Cheese Pasta Bake and grab your favorite chocolate cake for dessert. The choice is yours!
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) box rotini pasta
- 2 1/2 cups milk, warm
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups mild cheddar cheese, grated, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups ham, cooked and cubed
- fresh parsley, optional, to taste, chopped, for serving
Directions
Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 -Prepare a 13x9 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set it aside.
Step 3 -Cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 4 -Drain the pasta and return it to the pan.
Step 5 -In a large skillet on low heat on the stovetop, melt the butter.
Step 6 -Add in the flour, whisking for 1 minute. Add the warm milk slowly, constantly whisking.
Step 7 -Increase the heat to medium and stir until thickened.
Step 8 -Gradually add 1 1/4 cups of the cheddar cheese, whisking until melted after each addition.
Step 9 -Add in the ham.
Step 10 -Season the sauce with the salt and the pepper.
Step 11 -Stir the ham-cheese mixture into the pasta, mixing well.
Step 12 -Move the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Step 13 -Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Step 14 -Bake until bubbly, about 20-30 minutes.
Step 15 -Garnish with the fresh parsley and serve!
























