Cheesy Ham-penne Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 16 ounces penne pasta, cooked and drained (measure 16 ounces uncooked, i use half of a 900-gram package)
• 3 cups cubed cooked ham (or use as much as desired)
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (or 1/2 teaspoon salt)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional or to taste)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (or to taste)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups half-and-half cream (or use half milk and cream)
• 2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 4 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese (a little more won't hurt)

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350 degrees f.
• 2 grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• 3 place the cooked penne and the ham into a large bowl; set aside.
• 4 in a medium saucepan melt butter over medium heat.
• 5 add in mustard powder, black pepper, seasoned salt and cayenne pepper and onion, stir and cook for about 4 minutes.
• 6 add in garlic; cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• 7 add in flour and mix continously for 2 minutes.
• 8 slowly add in the cream and 1/3 cup parmesan cheese; cook stirring over medium-low heat until bubbly.
• 9 reduce heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese until completely melted.
• 10 pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and ham; toss until well combined.
• 11 transfer to a greased baking dish.
• 12 sprinkle the top with about 1/3 cup or more parmesan cheese.
• 13 cover and bake in a 350 degree f oven for about 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.