Indulge in a culinary symphony of flavors with this One-Pot Cheesy Ham Pasta. Crafted for busy weeknights, this dish boasts convenience, flavor and heartwarming nostalgia in every bite.Elevate your dinner table with this effortless yet decadent creation, that transforms leftover ham into a masterpiece of comfort in under 20 minutes. Tender pasta entwined with savory ham, bathed in a luscious blanket of creamy, melted cheese and the wholesome goodness of peas and carrots that also give this dish a pop of color, but what really makes this dish truly special is its simplicity. With just 1 pot, minimal prep, and pantry staples, you can whip up a wholesome meal that nourishes both body and soul.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fully cooked chopped us ham
- ½ cup frozen peas and carrots
- 2 cups uncooked medium pasta shells
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup old white cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the package. Add in the peas and carrots in the last 5 minutes of the pasta cooking so they are finished at the same time. While the pasta, peas and carrots cook, roughly chop up the leftover ham into bite-size pieces and shred your cheese.
- When the pasta, peas, and carrots are cooked, strain and set aside.
- Using the same pot, make the cheese sauce. Start by melting the butter. Once the butter is melted, whisk in your flour to make a thick paste.
- Slowly pour the milk into the pot while whisking to incorporate. Over medium high heat, continue to stir until a thick sauce is achieved. This can take several minutes.
- When the sauce is thick, add in the shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper and turn down heat to medium low. Add the pasta, peas, and carrots back into the pot and cook until everything is heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Top with some shredded parmesan cheese and serve warm with a slice or homemade garlic bread and a salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- For an extra creamy sauce use heavy cream instead of milk.
- If you like spice, this dish does well with chili pepper flakes being added at the time of melting the butter to make the cheese sauce, or simply add some hot sauce to the top before serving.
- This recipe works well with almost any frozen vegetable. Just make sure it has enough time to cook in the pasta water.
- For an extra cheesy experience, add in 2 cups of shredded cheese instead of one.
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