Creamy ham and cauliflower pasta bake

There’s nothing more comforting on a cold winter’s night than a warm, hearty pasta bake. This delicious, veggie-packed recipe is perfect for those chilly nights.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 300g leg ham, roughly sliced
• 400g large spiral pasta, cooked & drained
• ½ cup cauliflower, cut into flowerettes
• 3 spring onions, finely chopped
• 1 red capsicum, thinly sliced
• 50g butter
• 2 ½ tablespoons plain flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup chicken stock
• ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
• ½ cup grated cheese

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180⁰C.
2. Chop the slices of Australian leg ham roughly into small pieces and set aside.
3. Cook the cauliflower in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender for 8-10 minutes.
4. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and add flour and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat and gradually whisk in the milk and chicken stock.
5. Return to heat and stir constantly over medium heat until the liquid boils and thickens. Stir in the parsley.
6. Place the pasta into a deep baking dish and top with the cauliflower and ham.
7. Pour the sauce evenly over the pasta, ham and cauliflower then sprinkle the surface with the grated cheese.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.

Recipe courtesy of Australian Pork.