Ham, Spinach, and Mostaccioli Casserole

jswinks's Note:

From Better Homes and Gardens, this is a great casserole, especially to feed a lot of people. It has a rich and creamy sauce, but works well using milk instead of cream too!

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 8 ounces dried mostaccioli pasta or 8 ounces ziti pasta or 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons margarine
• 3 medium onions, cut into thin wedges (about 3 cups) or 5 medium leeks, sliced (about 3 cups)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or 1 1/2 cups light cream or 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups cooked ham, cubed
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package. Drain and rinse.
2. In large saucepan melt margarine. Add onion or leeks and garlic. Cover and cook about 5 mins or till onions are tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in flour, thyme, and pepper.
4. Add half and half, light cream, or milk and the chicken broth all at once.
5. Cook and stir til thick and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more.
6. Stir in pasta, ham, and spinach.
7. Spoon mixture into a 3 quart casserole.
8. Cover and bake 30-35 mins at 350 or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir gently before serving.

Reviews

[Sweet Jezebel]

Enjoyed this! Used one very large onion, doubled the garlic, and added some crushed red pepper for zip. Used all milk for the sauce and did not miss the cream at all. This is definitely going to be one of those recipes we double to freeze half for another day - very easy to put together and economical. Thanks for sharing! :)

[KarenT]

Used only 2 onions & no leeks but we still really enjoyed. I'm looking forward to the leftovers. Very tasty.

[Karen Elizabeth]

Oh my gosh, I didn't realise I hadn't reviewed this yet, sorry! I made it a while ago and we very much enjoyed it, a simple and tasty pasta bake. I omitted ham, because I didnt have it, and added some chilli, because we like it. I separated the mixture into two small casseroles and froze one before baking it, tonight we are having the one I froze and I'm sure it's going to be great! I'll let you know......:wink: