Description
Comforting creamy ham cheese pasta emerges as a quick weeknight dinner solution for busy families. Rich blend of savory ham, melted cheese, and silky sauce ensures hearty satisfaction you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 ½ cups (225 g) diced cooked ham
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta to al dente perfection, reserving a small amount of cooking liquid before draining.
- Aromatic Foundation: In a skillet, combine butter and olive oil, sautéing onions until translucent and releasing their delicate sweetness.
- Flavor Building: Introduce minced garlic and diced ham, cooking until the ham edges caramelize with a golden-brown hue.
- Sauce Base Creation: Sprinkle flour over the ham and onion mixture, stirring to eliminate raw flour notes and create a smooth foundation.
- Liquid Integration: Gradually whisk milk and chicken broth into the skillet, allowing the sauce to simmer and develop a luxurious, velvety consistency.
- Cheese Fusion: Melt cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan into the sauce, incorporating heavy cream to enhance the richness and create a decadent cheese blend.
- Seasoning Harmony: Elevate the sauce with freshly ground black pepper, salt, and Italian herbs, adjusting to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Final Assembly: Combine pasta with the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is generously coated, then transfer to a baking dish.
- Baking and Finishing: Sprinkle additional cheese on top and bake until the surface turns golden and bubbling, creating a crisp, appetizing crust. Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan, then serve alongside a crisp salad or roasted vegetables for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Manage Pasta Texture: Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when mixed with creamy sauce, ensuring each bite maintains a pleasant firm resistance.
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk milk and broth gradually and consistently to avoid lumps, creating a smooth, velvety sauce without grainy or clumpy texture.
- Control Cheese Melting: Add cheeses off direct heat and stir continuously, allowing them to melt slowly and integrate smoothly without becoming stringy or oily.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Substitute ham with turkey or plant-based protein for lighter version, use gluten-free flour and pasta for celiac-friendly adaptation, and swap dairy milk with almond or oat milk for lactose-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg