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Ham and potato pasta bake recipe

Ham and potato pasta bake recipe

55 ratings

Use leftover ham and potatoes in this easy pasta bake recipe. Juicy ham, soft potatoes and crunchy kale are coated in a Cheddar sauce, and topped with cheesy breadcrumbs and fresh tomatoes. This dish will liven up your weeknight dinners. See method

  • Serves 4
  • 10 mins to prepare and 35 mins to cook
  • 491 calories / serving
  • Freezable

Ingredients

  • 100g sliced kale, thick stalks removed
  • 300g penne
  • 20g Parmesan, grated
  • 40g fresh white breadcrumbs
  • 250g leftover ham, fat removed, torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 160g leftover roast potatoes, chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 100g cherry tomatoes, halved
  • green salad, to serve (optional)

For the cheese sauce

  • 40g butter
  • 40g plain flour​
  • 600ml milk
  • 120g reduced-fat Cheddar, grated
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
If you haven't got penne, try using fusilli or another short pasta

Each serving contains

  • Energy

    2070kj
    491kcal
    25%
  • Fat

    17g 25%
  • Saturates

    9g 43%
  • Sugars

    11g 12%
  • Salt

    1.9g 32%

of the reference intake
Carbohydrate 62.2g Protein 25.3g Fibre 3.7g

Method

  1. First, make the cheese sauce: melt the butter in a pan, sprinkle over the flour and mix with a wooden spoon. Cook for 1 min, stirring. Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously, until smooth. Bring to a bubble and cook for 2-3 mins until thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. Remove from the heat, add the cheese and mustard, season and stir well.
  2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta for 9 mins in a large pan of boiling water, adding the kale for the last 2-3 mins. Drain well and return to the pan. Mix the Parmesan with the breadcrumbs; set aside. Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C.
  3. Add the cheese sauce to the pasta along with the chopped ham, and potatoes. Mix to coat everything well, then spoon into a 2ltr ovenproof dish. Top with the cheesy breadcrumbs and dot over the tomatoes (cut-side up).
  4. Bake for 20-25 mins until piping hot with a crisp topping. Remove from the oven and let stand for a couple of mins, then serve with a green salad, if you like.

Freezing and defrosting guidelines

In order to enjoy optimum flavour and quality, frozen items are best used within 3 months of their freezing date. For more tips on freezing and defrosting food, read our article Love Your Freezer.

See more Pasta recipes

For top tips on protecting you and your family when preparing raw meat and poultry, visit Food Safety in the Home.

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