Creamy Bow Tie Pasta With Ham and Cheese
A rich fontina cheese sauce gives this pasta casserole its creamy flavor. Ham and aromatics add to the flavor. Customize it with artichokes or asparagus!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bow tie pasta
- 6 tablespoons butter, divided use
- 2 large ribs celery, diced
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces diced ham
- 1 teaspoon dried leaf sage, crumbled
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 2 cups 8 ounces shredded fontina cheese
- 1 cup 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup soft bread crumbs
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water following the package directions. Rinse and drain in a strainer or colander; set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat; add the celery, onions, and diced ham. Cook until the onions are translucent and the celery is tender. Add the sage and flour; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the milk and cook, stirring, until thickened.
- Add the fontina and cheddar cheese to the sauce mixture and continue cooking until cheese has melted. Taste and add salt and pepper.
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce mixture and stir until blended.
- Turn the pasta mixture into a 2- to 2 1/2-quart baking dish.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss with the bread crumbs; sprinkle over the top of the pasta.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.
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