Creamy pasta bake with ham and mushrooms
Treat yourself to the irresistible flavor combination of our creamy pasta bake with ham and mushrooms. This dish is sure to satisfy your appetite with its delicious cream sauce, tender pieces of ham and earthy mushrooms.
Please note that this recipe contains pork and is therefore only suitable for non-Muslims. We understand and respect different dietary preferences and restrictions. So if you are looking for a halal or vegetarian alternative, be sure to explore our other delicious recipes.
Prepare this delicious pasta casserole for a cozy dinner with friends or family. It’s a comforting and hearty dish that will leave you wanting for seconds. From the first bite to the last, this creamy ham and mushroom pasta bake is a real treat for your taste buds.
Ingredients
- 500g bag of Farfalle
- 50 g butter, plus a little more
- 200 g small mushrooms, halved
- Bunch of spring onions, finely chopped
- 50g plain flour
- 500 ml milk
- 140g thick sliced ham, chopped
- 140 g mature cheddar, grated
Tip
Tip
Go up
the vegetable portion
by adding peas
or add sweetcorn
the sauce. Or
make it vegetarian:
instead of ham,
stir through
wilted spinach
and crumbled
blue cheese.
Preparation steps
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and drain.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6, then melt some butter in a large saucepan.
- Fry the mushrooms for a few minutes, then remove and set aside. Wipe out the pan with some kitchen paper.
- Melt the remaining butter in the pan, then add most of the onions and sauté for 1 minute.
- Stir in the flour for another minute and then gradually stir in the milk until you have a lump-free sauce.
- Increase the heat, allow the sauce to bubble and stir for a few minutes to thicken.
- Turn off the heat, stir in the ham and most of the cheese and season to taste.
- Put the pasta and mushrooms in a large ovenproof dish, pour the sauce over it and mix everything well in the dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese and scallions on top and bake until golden brown, 10 minutes.
Nutritional Information
kcal | fat | saturates | carbohydrates | Sugar | fiber | protein | Salt |
678 | 25g | 14g | 89g | 8g | 0g | 31g | 1.58g |
Equipment and tools
- Pot for cooking pasta
- frying pan
- baking pan
- Whisk or spoon for stirring
- Knife for cutting mushrooms and green onions
- Grater for grating cheese
Allergen information
This creamy ham and mushroom pasta bake contains the following allergens:
- milk
- Wheat (found in farfalle pasta)
Storage and leftovers
Store any leftover Creamy Ham and Mushroom Pasta Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be stored for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place in the preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
Health Benefits of Creamy Ham and Mushroom Pasta Bake
The creamy ham and mushroom pasta casserole not only satisfies your taste buds but also offers several health benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients:
1. Farfalle
Farfalle, also called butterfly or bowtie noodles, is made from semolina flour and water. It is a good source of carbohydrates, which are the body’s main source of energy. Including whole grain farfalle in your diet can provide fiber, essential for digestive health, as well as important nutrients like iron and B vitamins.
2. Mushrooms
The small mushrooms used in this pasta bake offer more than just delicious flavor. They are low in calories and fat and at the same time rich in nutrients. Mushrooms are known for their immune-boosting properties as they contain antioxidants, vitamins (like vitamins D and C), and minerals (like potassium and selenium).
3. Green onions
Finely chopped spring onions not only give the dish a delicious taste, but also have a high nutritional value. They are a good source of vitamin K, which is essential for bone health. Green onions also contain other vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, folic acid and potassium.
4. Ham
Thick-cut ham provides a good amount of protein, which is necessary for muscle growth and repair. It also contains essential amino acids and important vitamins and minerals, including iron and zinc.
5. Mature Cheddar
The grated mature cheddar cheese gives the dish a creamy and cheesy touch. While it’s important to consume cheese in moderation due to its high fat content, cheddar provides calcium, protein and vitamin D. Calcium is crucial for maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Increase the vegetable content
If you want to increase the vegetable content, you can add peas or corn to the sauce. These vegetables further improve the nutritional profile of the dish by providing vitamins, minerals and fiber. Peas and sweet corn are particularly rich in vitamin C and folic acid.
Vegetarian option
For a vegetarian version of this pasta bake, you can replace the ham with wilted spinach and crumbled blue cheese. Spinach is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with iron, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. Blue cheese adds a tangy flavor and provides calcium and protein.