Ham, pasta, and cheeses baked to melting, savory comfort with a golden crumb topping. Perfect for cozy dinners.
# Components:
→ Pasta
01 - 9 oz penne or rotini pasta
→ Meats
02 - 9 oz cooked ham, diced
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy & Cheese
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
08 - 2 cups whole milk
09 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
10 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasonings
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
→ Topping
16 - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
17 - 1 tablespoon melted butter
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish evenly.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Melt unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and diced red bell pepper; sauté 3–4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, ensuring garlic remains fragrant but not browned.
05 - Sprinkle flour evenly over vegetables, stirring constantly for 1 minute to form the base of the sauce.
06 - Gradually pour in whole milk, whisking continuously to eliminate lumps. Simmer for approximately 3 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened.
07 - Stir in mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Mix until all are melted and sauce is smooth.
08 - Add salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Combine thoroughly.
09 - Fold diced ham and drained pasta into sauce, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated.
10 - Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
11 - Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle topping evenly over casserole surface.
12 - Bake in preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until top is golden and the mixture is bubbling.
13 - Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes prior to serving to ensure optimal texture.
