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Creamy Asparagus and Ham Pasta Bake Easy Recipe with Crispy Gruyere Topping

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A comforting and creamy pasta bake featuring tender asparagus, smoky ham, and a crispy Gruyere cheese topping. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340g) penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 pound (450g) fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 8 ounces (225g) cooked ham, diced
  • 1 1/2 cups (150g) grated Gruyere cheese
  • 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 tablespoons (60g) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups (720ml) whole milk, warmed
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking.
  3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the butter and onion mixture. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
  5. Slowly whisk in warmed milk, ensuring no lumps form. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Add Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
  6. Remove sauce from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  7. Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 2 minutes, then shock in ice water. Drain well.
  8. Combine cooked pasta, ham, asparagus, shredded mozzarella, and creamy sauce in a large bowl or directly in the baking dish. Stir gently to coat evenly.
  9. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle grated Gruyere cheese on top.
  10. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  11. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If sauce is too thick before baking, stir in a splash of milk to loosen. Watch Gruyere cheese carefully during broiling to avoid burning. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and flour. For vegetarian, swap ham with sautéed mushrooms or smoked tofu.

Nutrition

Keywords: asparagus pasta bake, ham pasta bake, creamy pasta bake, Gruyere cheese, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://evabake.com/creamy-asparagus-and-ham-pasta-bake-easy-recipe-with-crispy-gruyere-topping/